In what many locals describe as a harsh twist of political fate, two once-prominent figures in the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Hajj Idd Lubyayi Kisiki and Halima Nakawungu, have been denied the National Unity Platform (NUP) tickets for the 2026 general elections.
Both had stood as independents in 2021 after losing NRM primaries and had hoped that joining NUP in 2024 would revive their electoral fortunes.
Instead, the party awarded the Bukomansimbi North seat to Nsereko Christopher Kayongo Engagga and retained incumbent Veronica Nanyondo Namaganda for the Woman MP seat, leaving Lubyayi and Nakawungu uncertain about their political future.
Halima Nakawungu has contested for the Bukomansimbi District Woman MP seat ever since the district split from Masaka in 2010. In 2021, she ran as an independent, finishing third with 1,562 votes.
Hajj Idd Lubyayi Kisiki has similarly vied for the Bukomansimbi North MP seat since the constituency was formed in 2016, coming third in 2021 with 4,238 votes.
Adding to the drama, Christine Ndiwalana, who had won Bukomansimbi North on the NUP ticket in 2021, was also denied the party flag this time, shocking many supporters who considered her a key figure in NUP’s breakthrough in the district.
Among Lubyayi’s and Nakawungu’s supporters, the mood is one of anger, disbelief, and betrayal. Many argue that loyalty and resilience should have weighed more heavily in candidate selection.
Ndiwalana’s backers also question why an incumbent who delivered victory in 2021 has been sidelined.
Supporters of Engagga and Nanyondo, on the other hand, frame the party’s decision as strategic, citing their strong grassroots presence and ability to consolidate support quickly.
Analysts note that NUP’s choices reflect a broader emphasis on electability over past loyalty.
The decisions also highlight the ongoing challenges female aspirants face: while Nanyondo retains the Woman MP flag, Nakawungu’s rejection underscores the difficulty of breaking through established incumbency.
What’s Next?
For Lubyayi and Nakawungu, the path forward is uncertain. Options include:
- Running as independents again, leveraging personal networks.
- Seeking lower-level positions or party roles to remain politically relevant.
- Rebuilding grassroots projects before attempting a future comeback.
The rejection of Hajji Lubyayi, Halima Nakawungu, and even incumbent Christine Ndiwalana underscores the turbulence within NUP’s internal politics.
In Bukomansimbi, these decisions are not just about individual candidates but about trust, loyalty, and the balance between strategy and grassroots realities.
As the 2026 elections approach, the district is set for one of its most unpredictable political battles yet.
