Kalangala, Uganda – June 25, 2026 – The National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Idah Nabayiga, has been declared the winner of the hotly contested Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament by-election, securing a decisive victory that reinforces the ruling party’s hold on the island district.
According to official results announced by the Electoral Commission’s Returning Officer for Kalangala District, Ronald Agaba, Nabayiga polled 12,642 votes, comfortably defeating her closest rival, Irene Nampala of the National Unity Platform (NUP), who garnered 7,474 votes. The by-election, held on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, saw Nabayiga outpace five other candidates from various parties and the independent category.
“I declare Idah Nabayiga, who has obtained the largest number of votes, to be the duly elected candidate for District Woman Representative to Parliament for Kalangala Electoral District,” Mr. Agaba declared amid cheers from NRM supporters.
The by-election was triggered by the death of the previous officeholder, Helen Nakimuli, creating a vacancy that drew significant attention from both the ruling party and the opposition. President Yoweri Museveni had earlier handed the NRM flag to Nabayiga, underscoring the party’s commitment to retaining the seat. NRM officials, including Director for Mobilisation Rosemary Sseninde, had set an ambitious target of over 70% of the vote, a goal the candidate came close to achieving in a low-turnout island poll.
Nabayiga, a seasoned politician who previously served as Kalangala’s District Woman Representative in the 10th Parliament, expressed gratitude to voters and outlined her priorities for the remainder of the term. Her re-entry into Parliament is expected to focus on key local issues such as infrastructure development, fisheries support, healthcare improvement, and women’s empowerment in the lake-dependent district.
The poll, however, was not without controversy. Opposition figures raised concerns over alleged irregularities, including reports of military presence at polling stations and restrictions on movement. Leader of the Opposition Joel Ssenyonyi was notably unable to reach Kalangala after the ferry he boarded was reportedly forced to turn back, an incident he attributed to deliberate interference aimed at hindering opposition monitoring efforts. NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya also voiced strong disappointment, calling for investigations into the conduct of the exercise.
Despite these claims, the Electoral Commission maintained that the process was conducted in accordance with electoral laws and procedures. Nabayiga’s victory hands the NRM a significant boost ahead of future electoral cycles and reaffirms the party’s grassroots strength in Kalangala.
As the newly elected Woman MP, Idah Nabayiga now returns to Parliament with a fresh mandate to serve the people of Kalangala. Political analysts note that her experience and familiarity with the district’s unique challenges—ranging from maritime transport to economic livelihoods—position her well to deliver tangible results for her constituents.