Female faces emerging on the political horizon

With the 2016 general election just a few months away, many people are positioning themselves to contest for the Member of Parliament position in the different districts and newly created constituencies.

Women have not been left behind in the race. New faces have emerged to contest against those who have been in elective politics for many years.
So far, it is only the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party that has officially opened its electoral commission offices for members to pick up nomination forms. As such, most of those on this list belong to the NRM party.

Judith Babirye (NRM)
Better known as a gospel musician, Babirye picked up nomination forms on July 19, 2015, to contest for the Woman MP seat of Buikwe District.

The seat is currently occupied by Dorothy Christine Mpiima.

The political novice, who looks to Jennifer Musisi, Executive Director - KCCA for inspiration, has indicated that standing as MP will give her the platform to help her constituents change from subsistence to commercial agriculture.

For the last two years, Babirye, in a low profile, carried out programmes in Buikwe, targeted strengthening her bid in the area. She sponsored a health camp at Nyenga Hospital and a football tournament named Babirye Cup.

Dorcus Inzikuru (NRM)
The 2005 World Women Steeplechase Gold medalist Docus Inzikuru showed interest to contest as National Resistance Movement flag bearer in the upcoming national elections.

Inzikuru picked forms to contest in NRM primaries for Northern region Youth Member of Parliament. She wants to replace Youth Minister Evelyn Anite who will not come back to contest.
However, to contest on this post the guidelines are clear that one should be under the age of 30 yet Inzikuru is over 30 years since she was born in 1982 February.

Inzikuru insists age is just a number and she is ready to contest. She believes the youth in North will be better represented if she wins.

The athlete also reasons that sports disciplines have been neglected, especially in the North, yet the talent is there. “That is why I’m coming out to contest to take the issues to Parliament so that government can easily facilitate the talent identification,” she said.

Aisha Alibai (Independent)
A former radio presenter, she came out to declare her intentions to stand for the Soroti Municipality MP seat.

Alibai is in the process of initiating programmes to alleviate poverty.

According to her manifesto, she wants women in their SACCOs to be taught entrepreneurial skills, and to have agriculturalists trained and supported in getting market for their food.

The former communications officer intends to support the unemployed youth by equipping them with practical skills to help them find employment.

Judith Nabakooba (NRM)
The former deputy Police Political Commissar tendered in her resignation this year to stand for the Woman MP seat for Mityana District.

The seat is currently occupied by Sylvia Namabidde who is also contesting to retain her seat.

Nabakooba, a one time Police spokesperson, also served as a secretary to Exodus SACCO, the police savings and credit association. Her candidature is based on the premise that she will rejuvenate the education and health sectors in Mityana District.

Juliet Sajabi Wabwire (NRM)
The auditor/accountant is aspiring for the Woman MP seat for Iganga Distrct, currently occupied by Olivia Kabaale Kwagala.

Previously, she worked at the British American Tobacco Company.

In her Manifesto, Wabwire indicates that despite the immense resources availed by the government and private sector, the people of Iganga are still wallowing in severe poverty. “I intend to provide clear headed leadership to bring development in the district.”

Stella Njuba (NRM)
A daughter to the late Sam Njuba, Stella is contesting against Ssemuju Ibrahim Nganda (FDC) in Kyadondo East.

Ironically, her father, a former area MP and an FDC stalwart, endorsed Nganda for the seat.

Currently an administrator at an architectural firm, Njuba intends to address unemployment by starting up income generating projects.
She also intends to enhance a better working relationship between leaders in Kyadondo East for better service delivery.

Deborah Mwesigwa Mugerwa (NRM)
The soft-spoken former Uganda Revenue Authority (URA) officer is contesting against Rebecca Kadaga for the Kamuli District Woman MP seat.

Mugerwa believes she has the capacity to coordinate and monitor government funds sent to Kamuli District.

She believes that streamlining the process of connecting beneficiary groups, doing verification, and monitoring, will ensure that every household has an income generating activity.

Those who have been around in other capacities

Aisha Kabanda (NRM)
The former Kampala Resident City Commissioner recently resigned her seat to vie for the Butambala District Woman, MP. The onetime State House employee will battle it out with incumbent MP, Mariam Nalubega.

Describing Butambala as one of the poorest districts, Kabanda intends to use her position to lobby for government services.

Lydia Wanyoto Mutende (NRM)
The regional politician who once served as a Ugandan representative to the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA), recently picked nomination forms for the Mbale Woman MP slot.

A consultant on matters ranging from the law, human rights, governance and women affairs, Wanyoto is also vying to replace Jacqueline Mbabazi as the national chairperson of the NRM Women’s League.

She was also the deputy Special Representative of the Chairperson of African Union Commission. She has been heading the AU Mission in Somalia.

Margaret Nantongo Zziwa (NRM)
After her acrimonious exit from the position of Speaker for East African Legislative Assembly, Zziwa has picked nomination forms to contest for the position of chairperson of the NRM Women’s League to replace Jacqueline Mbabazi.

Zziwa is a distinguished politician who served in the Constituent Assembly from1993-1995. From 1996-2006 she served as the Kampala District Woman MP in the Sixth and Seventh Parliaments.

In 2007 she joined EALA and was elected the first female speaker in 2012. However, she was impeached for misconduct and abuse of office.

Dr Sarah Muwonge Nkonge (NRM)
In 1998, Nkonge became Kampala’s first woman mayor.
A member of the Kwagalana Group (a loose group of wealth city businessmen and women), Nkonge owns many schools, including Kampala Secondary School.

She has been a Senior Presidential Advisor on land matters and has previously been a university lecturer.

Currently, she is contesting for the Lwengo District Woman MP seat.

Tezira Jamwa (NRM)
She served in the Constituent Assembly in 1995. In the Sixth Parliament (1996-2001), she represented the people of West Budama North, Tororo District.

Currently, Jamwa is vying for the position of vice chairperson of the NRM Women’s League representing the eastern region.
An advocate for women’s rights, she is a founding member of Forum for Women in Democracy (FOWODE); and is serving on the district service commission of Tororo.