By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
KAMPALA
Rising from a bruising political setback that had briefly halted her national ambitions, independent candidate Fiona Nakku on Tuesday pulled off a dramatic comeback, narrowly winning the female workers’ Member of Parliament seat in the 12th Parliament.
Nakku secured the seat after polling 290 votes, edging out NRM flag bearer Agnes Kunihira Abwooli, who garnered 287 votes, according to results announced at Kibuli Secondary School.
The election was conducted among 630 workers’ delegates, who cast ballots for five parliamentary positions, including one reserved for a female representative.
Five candidates contested for the seat namely; Atukunda Abo Victoria Abigail (Independent), Abwoli Kunihira Agnes (NRM), Mugerwa Phina (Independent), Nakku Fiona (Independent) and Mwesigwa Hannah Anita (Independent).
Nakku’s victory comes months after she was de-nominated from contesting for the National Female Youth MP position during the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) delegates’ conference held at Kololo in August last year. Her removal followed complaints by Aaron Mwesiba, one of the contestants, who challenged her eligibility to contest for a position on the National Youth Council.
In a letter dated August 18, 2025, the NRM Electoral Commission chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, said the party acted on guidance from the National Identification and Registration Authority (NIRA).
“Following the said advice, the NRM Electoral Commission is legally obligated to de-nominate you for the position of National Female Youth MP flag bearer as you do not qualify to be nominated at the national level based on your age,” Dr. Odoi wrote.
The letter further stated: “We therefore communicate that you shall not be a contestant in the upcoming election for the said position.” Despite that setback, Nakku’s razor-thin victory in the workers’ parliamentary race underscores her political resilience and marks a return to the national stage after months on the sidelines.
