The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has reclaimed the Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament seat after its candidate, Idah Nabayiga, emerged victorious in the by-election held on Wednesday, June 25, 2026.Nabayiga was declared the winner in the early hours of Thursday by Kalangala District Returning Officer Ronald Agaba after all results from polling stations across the district had been tallied and verified.According to the final results announced at 1:53 a.m., Nabayiga secured 12,642 votes, defeating her closest challenger, Irene Nampala of the National Unity Platform (NUP), who obtained 7,474 votes.Independent candidate Sharifah Babirye finished third with 244 votes, while Flavia Hellen Nagawa, also an Independent, polled 217 votes.
Another Independent candidate, Agnes Nasuuna, received 34 votes.Declaring the results, Returning Officer Agaba said the tally had been conducted in accordance with Section 72 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177, following the compilation and verification of the Declaration of Results Forms from the various polling stations.Agaba subsequently declared Nabayiga duly elected as the District Woman Representative to Parliament for Kalangala Electoral District after she obtained the highest number of valid votes.A total of 20,611 valid votes were recorded in the election. Officials also reported 427 rejected ballots and 67 spoilt ballots, bringing the total number of ballot papers counted to 21,038.Nabayiga’s victory gives the ruling NRM a significant boost in Kalangala, particularly after a closely watched contest that attracted candidates from both political parties and the Independent category.
The by-election was triggered by the death of former Kalangala District Woman MP Helen Nakimuli, leaving the parliamentary seat vacant.During the campaign, candidates sought support across the island district, with issues including healthcare, education, infrastructure, service delivery and transport connectivity featuring prominently in their messages to voters.With Nabayiga now officially elected, attention will turn to her representation of Kalangala residents in Parliament and her plans for addressing the challenges affecting the district.
