Parliamentary Elections 2026: Drama, Excitement and Surprises Mark Final Day of MP Nominations in Wakiso
By: Lawrence Mubiru
Wakiso District – The final day of Member of Parliament (MP) nominations in Wakiso District on Thursday was filled with drama, humor, and unforgettable moments as candidates and residents turned up in large numbers to witness the end of the two-day exercise.
The day began with a scuffle between parliamentary aspirant Magezi George William and officials from the Electoral Commission (EC) over the “first come, first serve” procedure in the nomination booklet.
According to the EC, the gates opened at 7:30 a.m., but Magezi protested being asked to wait for his turn, sparking a heated verbal exchange that drew the attention of security officers. After about ten minutes of commotion, the situation was brought under control and the exercise resumed smoothly.
By 10:00 a.m., the nomination center turned lively again when a man carrying a banana bunch on his head — later identified as Kayanja Moses, an aspirant for Kyadondo East — arrived at the premises, drawing laughter and curiosity from onlookers who referred to him by his local nickname “Mufuyira Bikku.”
The highlight of the day came around 11:30 a.m. when a helicopter hovered over the EC offices before landing nearby, causing excitement among residents and journalists. The chopper carried NRM flag bearer for Makindye Ssabagabo, Philip Munduni, who had missed his scheduled nomination day. Many onlookers were seen taking selfies and videos, some admitting it was their first time seeing a helicopter up close.
In an unexpected twist, another aspirant, Simbwa Khalid, also from Kyadondo East, later departed using the same chopper, sparking speculation and lighthearted conversations among attendees.
During his nomination session before Wakiso District Returning Officer Tolbert Musinguzi, Magezi once again caused a stir when his preferred electoral symbol had already been taken by another candidate. Intervention by senior politicians helped calm him down before he settled for an alternative symbol and completed his nomination.
Later in the day, Muwada Nkunyingi, the incumbent MP for Kyadondo East, was also nominated. He used the occasion to report alleged police interference that, he claimed, had attempted to block his nomination. He appealed to the Returning Officer to investigate the matter.
Adding a musical twist to the day, Kadongo Kamu artist Mathias Walukaga made a surprise appearance, addressing the media to refute claims that he lacked academic qualifications. Walukaga revealed he is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration (BAPA) at St. Lawrence University, and delivered a brief 75-second English speech to prove his point.
Before the day’s close, Returning Officer Tolbert Musinguzi addressed both the earlier commotions and the candidates’ complaints, emphasizing the EC’s commitment to transparency and order.
> “We have not received formal communication about any security interference, but we shall meet with all nominated candidates to harmonize any arising issues,” Musinguzi stated.
“Candidates are required to select symbols provided by the Commission, not to bring their own,” he added, addressing the earlier disagreement involving Magezi.
Despite the day’s series of comic and tense moments, the nomination process was completed successfully. The Wakiso District Returning Officer is expected to issue an official report on the final list of nominated candidates on Friday morning.