Mukono, Uganda – Political tension is brewing in Mukono Municipality as Hon. Hanifah Nabukeera officially announced her decision to quit the National Unity Platform (NUP) and contest as an independent candidate in the 2026 parliamentary elections.
According to reports, the move has left incumbent MP Hon. Betty Nambooze—who has represented the constituency since 2010—on edge, with fears that Nabukeera’s defection could split the opposition vote in the area.
Hon. Nabukeera made her announcement following what she described as “a sham vetting process” within NUP, claiming that the party’s internal mechanisms were manipulated to favor Amanio, a former NRM loyalist who once championed President Museveni’s “sole candidacy.”
> “After endorsing Museveni, she crossed to NUP, and within six months, she is now shouting ‘Kyagulanyi is my president.’ Strangely, the vetting team believed her. That’s mockery,” Nabukeera lamented.
She further noted that she was unfairly accused of not supporting certain individuals whose interests do not align with the people’s needs, dismissing the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
Political analysts say Nabukeera’s decision could significantly shake up the Mukono race, which has traditionally been Nambooze’s stronghold for over a decade.
As the 2026 general elections draw closer, Mukono Municipality is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched battlegrounds, with loyalties tested and political alliances put to the ultimate test.
