The play ground is heating up every where in Uganda as we draw closer to the 2026 general elections. Inside the National Resistance Movement- NRM, the only party that employs universal suffrage to identify its flag bearers, the situation is predictably more intense.
In Bugiri District, Busoga sub region, the atmosphere is already jaw dropping. Perennial contender, Eunice Namatende has already declared intention to seek the August House as Woman MP, a seat she has attempted for a record five times already.
Namatende has made a name among the common folks with her dramatic and entertaining eloquence which many say her rivals lack.
This has, however , been criticised by a section of the electorate who seem to worry she might not be just the right person especially when it comes to addressing key issues on a more serious platform like tje floor of Parliament.
Namatende is seeking to unseat holder Agnes Wejuli Taaka who has already trounced her on the three occasions she has dared her in 2006, 2011, and 2021. One may strongly State that Taaka has mastered how to defeat Namatende, however, a few things may make the contest a bit close to call.
One is that Namatende who has perennially sought election on the opposition ticket is opting for the NRM card this time round, which Taaka will aggressively fight to consolidate. This makes it a bit complex since for the very first time, the two are likely to share the same support base.
Secondly, the former FDC girl has new godfathers in NRM Vice Chairman for Eastern Uganda, Fligh Cpt. Mike Mukula and Commissioner of Parliament, Solomon Silwany. Both of these are gifted with well oiled pockets which promises a cash spoilt encounter since the incumbent is equally endowed after three terms in Parliament.
Others in the race include; NUP’s Namumbya Beatrice, two term Bugiri Mu Municipal Youth Councilor Asiina Kagoya, Esther Kadhaaya, among others.
Yet one things that separates Taaka with the rest of the contenders is experience and her immense contribution to the development of the district.
Having been in Parliament since 2016, Taaka will not only be the longest reigning Woman MP in Bugiri but also be the longest serving in Busoga only behind Rebecca Kadaga with over three uninterrupted tenures. This experience and a starring role on the various committees have tempted many Bugiri voters to bite their niles in anticipation that it may not be long before their treasured asset catches the eye of the President for a cabinet position especially as many big wigs in Busoga are aging out.
There has also been some intense suspicion among some NRM members on the defection of Namatende- the most viable challenger to the party with many querying why she couldn’t first serve the party for some time to gain trust before asking for their mandate.
Party leaders led by NRM district Chairperson, Mzee Stephen Mutumba has relentlessly argued that as leaders, there was a time when they desperately tried to lure Namatende to the party but she turned them down each time. He finds quite challenging that she is joining the party at a time when they have managed to achieve internal stability which he fears might create disharmony.
” For Namatende, no thank you. When we needed her, she chased us. Why should we welcome her in at a time when we think we are now able to celebrate achieving Internal stability? As a member of the party, she is welcome but as MP, no thank you. Those who recruited her should have first consulted the local leadership unless if she is going to contest in Soroti.” A dissatisfied Mutumba told this website shortly after Mukulu unveiled Namatende as a new recruit early this year.
Besides, Bugiri prides in Taaka’s generosity for which it may be hard to break her support base. Variously christened ” Munno Mukabi” loosely translated as ” a friend in need is a friend indeed,” she has contributed immensely to transform lifes through a range of interventions channelled through her Agnes Taaka foundation. This way, she has provided tents, saucepans, and chairs to every parish in the district. She has also participated in fundraising drives where she has extended cash and iron sheets for churches.
Through her commitment to equip young people with income generating skills, she has introduced and maintained a skilling program through which many have attained in demand skills in tailoring, construction, metal fabrication, baking, among others.
Who is Taaka?
Agnes Taaka also known as Taaka Agnes Wejuli was born 3 April 1980. She is the district woman representative of Bugiri District. She served in the tenth and eleventh Parliament. She belongs to the ruling political party, National Resistance Movement.She is the current Woman Member of Parliament of Bugiri District.
Education
She completed her Primary Leaving Examinations from Kigulu Girls Primary school in 1992 and later joined Bukoyo Senior Secondary School for her Uganda Certificate of Education in 1996. In 1999, Agnes joined Iganga Senior Secondary School for Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE). She was awarded a bachelor’s degree of Arts in Social Science from Makerere University in 2004. Additionally in 2007, she went to advance her studies and was awarded a certificate in Law (Administrative Officers Law Course) from Law Development Centre, Kampala.
Work experience before politics
Between 2006 and 2014, Agnes worked as the Community Development Officer at Bugiri District Local Government and was later promoted to Senior Community Development Officer in Bugiri Town Council and worked from 2014 to 2015. From 2010 to 2012, she was later appointed as the Acting Sub-County Chief of Bugiri District Local Government. She leads Taaka Agnes Wejuli Development Foundation.
Political career
From 2016 to date, she has served as the Woman Member of Parliament for Bugiri Constituency. During her service as the Member of Parliament, she has served on additional role as the Committee on Agriculture. Her hobbies are netball, and dancing; and she has special interest in mentoring poor households, community groups and youths.
She joined the Uganda Women Parliamentary Association (UWOPA) in the 10th parliament where she serves on the committee of the Employment Act/Economic Empowerment, which is a collaboration With Civil Society As A Mechanism For Conducting Advocacy in the Four Main Strategic Directions.
