Campaigns for the 2026 general presidential and parliamentary elections are in full swing, with 83,597 contenders vying for 45,505 elective positions nationwide.
In Kampala alone, the parliamentary race has intensified following the nomination of 113 candidates seeking to represent the city’s 10 constituencies, including Makindye East, Makindye West, Nakawa East, Nakawa West, Kampala Central, Lubaga North, Lubaga South, Kawempe North, Kawempe South, and the Kampala City Woman Representative seat.
The Kampala Central contest has drawn particular attention after incumbent Muhammad Nsereko, who has represented the constituency since 2011, exited the race to pursue a presidential bid—a bid ultimately blocked due to failure to secure the required signatures.
Nsereko’s absence has opened the field to high-profile contenders, including NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, NRM Minister for Kampala Minsa Kabanda, business tycoon Abraham Luzzi, Uganda Boxing Federation president Moses Muhangi, and independent candidate Suzan Kushaba.
Abraham Luzzi has distinguished himself with a fully digital campaign, rejecting traditional rallies, processions, and door-to-door mobilization as outdated. Unveiling his “Smart Manifesto,” Luzzi proposes sweeping governance reforms, including reducing Parliament from 556 to 80 members, trimming Cabinet to 50 ministers appointed on merit, abolishing by-elections, and digitizing national campaigns to cut election costs.
His manifesto also calls for mandatory qualifications for MPs and harsh penalties for corruption, including the death sentence for cases of gross financial loss.
NUP’s Rubongoya, meanwhile, launched his campaign with a major rally in Kamwokya, promising reforms in taxation, public services, infrastructure, employment, housing, and technology access.
NRM’s Minsa Kabanda has focused on empowering market women, supporting informal settlements, and delivering inclusive development to reinforce the party’s relevance in Kampala.
Moses Muhangi, a former national boxing champion, has pledged better remuneration for amateur boxers, referees, and officials, aiming to champion sports development from inside Parliament.
Independent candidate Suzan Kushaba, denied an NRM party card, insists her campaign will prioritize youth empowerment, women’s rights, and job creation, driven by grassroots support rather than party structures.
With months to go before the polls, the Kampala Central parliamentary seat is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched and fiercely contested races in the 2026 elections.