Mpigi’s Matriarchal Mandate: Voters Entrust Women with the Reins of Representation

By Christopher Kisekka: Mpigi District has emerged as a beacon of gender empowerment in the 2026 parliamentary elections, where voters overwhelmingly placed their faith in female candidates.

All elected Members of Parliament from the district, both the directly elected constituency representatives and the affirmative action woman MP, are women, a rare feat that locals attribute to a deep-seated trust in their capability, experience, and hands-on approach to community issues.

“Mpigi has trusted women for the job,” Earnest Ssemakalu, a resident of Mpigi town council, put it, encapsulating a sentiment echoed across the district.

The victors form a trio of seasoned leaders: Amelia Kyambadde for Mawokota North, Susan Nakawuki Nsambu for Mawokota South, and Teddy Nambooze as the district’s Woman Representative.

Far from being political novices, these women bring decades of public service to the table, dispelling any notion of needing “on-the-job training.” Their wins not only buck the national trend, where women hold about 34% of parliamentary seats, but also highlight Mpigi’s progressive stance in a country where gender parity in politics remains an ongoing struggle.

Amelia Kyambadde is a stalwart of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), reclaimed her Mawokota North seat with a decisive victory over National Unity Platform (NUP) challenger Hillary Kiyaga, better known as musician Dr. Hilderman.

A former Minister of Trade, Industry, and Cooperatives, Kyambadde’s political journey spans over two decades, including roles as Principal Private Secretary to President Yoweri Museveni.

Her comeback after a brief retirement underscores her enduring appeal. “I have served this community before, and I know exactly what needs fixing, from roads to markets,” Kyambadde told supporters during her victory speech.

Residents like Joseph Ssebuguzi, drum maker, agree: “Mama Amelia doesn’t need to learn; she acts. She’s fixed trade issues for us fishmongers in the past, and we trust her to do it again.”

Adding to the female powerhouse is Susan Nakawuki Nsambu, who secured Mawokota South under the NRM banner, defeating a field of challengers, including Forum for Democratic Change’s vice president, Yusuf Nsibambi.

A lawyer by training, Nakawuki is no stranger to legislative halls: She previously represented Busiro East in  Parliament and served in the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).

Her campaign zeroed in on local pain points like erratic power supply, crumbling roads, and maternal health crises. “Women are dying in childbirth here, preventable deaths,” she highlighted during rallies in Mpigi Sub-county.

Voters responded enthusiastically. “Susan talks to us directly, not through aides,” said market vendor Maria Nalubega from Kayabwe. “She’s been in politics long enough to know how to deliver, and as a woman, she understands our daily struggles with family and work.”

Rounding out the slate is Teddy Nambooze, the NUP’s Woman Representative for Mpigi, who retained her seat with a strong grassroots push against NRM rival Harriet Mbabazi and others.  

Nambooze has built her reputation on community service, from launching health initiatives  to advocating for youth and women’s empowerment. However, she had not starred in Parliament.

Her re-election came after a rigorous party review, affirming her commitment amid a heated national race.  Constituents rave about her accessibility: “Teddy listens more than she talks, she’s one of us,” shared farmer Agnes Mukisa from Buwama.

With NRM holding two seats and NUP one, the MPs must navigate party divides in Parliament to deliver for their shared constituency.

Women currently occupy 189 seats in Uganda’s 11th Parliament, representing 34% of the total membership of 556 legislators. This figure reflects a combination of affirmative-action seats reserved specifically for women and women who have successfully contested open, directly elected constituency seats.

The largest share comes from the 146 District Women Representatives, who are elected under the constitutional quota that reserves one parliamentary seat for a woman in each district. This mechanism, in place for many years, continues to form the foundation of female participation in the House.

Sixteen women secured victory in directly elected constituency seats, prevailing in open contests against both male and female candidates. These wins reflect a slow but increasing number of women succeeding outside the reserved quota system.

The remaining female legislators include three representatives from the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF), two from the workers’ constituency, two from the youth constituency, three representing persons with disabilities, and three representing older persons. In addition, 14 women serve as ex officio members, primarily ministers who are not directly elected to Parliament.  

The Electoral Commission is expected to soon publish the official gazette notice listing all elected Members of Parliament for the 12th Parliament (2026 – 2031), allowing the public and stakeholders to see the definitive breakdown of seats following the January 15, 2026, general elections.