Independent Makindye East Member of Parliament aspirant Baker Kisarita has pledged to deliver tangible services and a fresh, people-centered approach to leadership as the 2026 parliamentary elections draw closer.
Speaking during the Makindye East Parliamentary Debate hosted by NBS Television on Wednesday, Kisarita emphasized his commitment to addressing key community challenges, including poor road networks, unemployment, and inadequate infrastructure.
“I promise to deliver the services required for the people of Makindye East, which include but are not limited to roads, employment, and infrastructure,” he said.
Kisarita, who describes himself as “a son of a hairdresser and taxi driver,” says his humble background gives him a deep understanding of the daily struggles of ordinary citizens.
“I am a son of a hairdresser and taxi driver. I promise to deliver a new and loud voice for the people of Makindye East,” he said.
Makindye East has long been known for its revolving-door political culture. Since 1996, every elected representative — with the exception of Michael Mabikke — has served only a single term. Some have exited through electoral defeat, others due to scandal, and a few by personal choice.
Outgoing MP Derrick Nyeko, elected in 2021 under the National Unity Platform (NUP) banner during the party’s sweeping “umbrella wave,” now joins the growing list of one-term legislators from the area.
The constituency’s reputation for political volatility dates back to the late 1990s. Benedict Mutyaba captured the seat in 1996, running virtually unopposed after the Democratic Party (DP) opted out of the race. His tenure ended amid controversy over alleged poor oversight and underperformance.
In 2001, Michael Mabikke, a charismatic DP youth leader and prominent member of the Uganda Young Democrats alongside Erias Lukwago, Mukasa Mbidde, and Mathias Mpuuga, won the seat on a wave of youthful opposition energy. However, Mabikke’s political trajectory took a downturn after his ill-fated 2011 mayoral bid.
That same year, John Ssimbwa of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) capitalized on a divided opposition to claim victory — only to be unseated five years later amid growing urban opposition sentiment.
In 2016, Ibrahim Kasozi of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) won the seat, pledging to reconnect with grassroots communities. Despite his active presence in Parliament, critics say his tenure fell short on local service delivery.
By 2021, Kasozi was unseated by NUP’s Derrick Nyeko, whose victory rode on the back of Robert Kyagulanyi’s nationwide “People Power” movement.
The 2026 race for Makindye East is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched contests in Kampala. Kisarita faces stiff competition from Ali Mulanyama of the NUP, Judith Nuwabeine Abaho of the NRM, Lubega Francis of the FDC, Michael Mabikke of the Democratic Front (DF), and independents Robert Ssekidde, Tenywa Constantine Padda, and Elijah Owobusingye.