Kalangala — National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Idah Nabayiga has been elected Woman Member of Parliament for Kalangala District after defeating her rivals in a closely watched by-election.
Official results announced by Kalangala District Returning Officer Ronald Agaba showed Ms Nabayiga polling 12,642 votes out of 20,611 valid votes cast to secure victory.
Her closest challenger, National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Irene Nampala, garnered 7,474 votes, while Independent candidate Sharifah Babirye received 244 votes. Other Independent candidates, Flavia Hellen Nagawa and Agnes Nasuuna, polled 217 and 34 votes respectively.
Declaring the results, Mr Agaba said the election had been conducted in accordance with the Parliamentary Elections Act.
“Accordingly, as Returning Officer for Kalangala Electoral District and in accordance with Section 72 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, I declare Idah Nabayiga, who has obtained the largest number of votes, to be the duly elected District Woman Representative to Parliament for Kalangala Electoral District,” he said.
According to the Electoral Commission, a total of 21,038 ballots were cast during the election, comprising 20,611 valid votes, 427 rejected ballots and 67 spoilt ballot papers.
Ms Nabayiga won about 61 per cent of the valid votes cast, giving the ruling party a comfortable victory in the island district.
The by-election was called following the death of Kalangala District Woman MP Helen Nakimuli, whose passing left the parliamentary seat vacant.
The campaign attracted candidates from the NRM, the NUP and independent contenders, with issues such as transport, healthcare, education, fisheries, tourism and youth employment dominating public debate.
Voting was generally peaceful across the district’s island communities, according to election officials.
Ms Nabayiga is expected to represent Kalangala District in Parliament for the remainder of the term, with residents looking to the new legislator to address longstanding challenges, including transport connectivity, access to social services and economic opportunities for island communities.