• The National Unity Platform faces a strategic dilemma ahead of the 2026 elections: whether to back Joyce Bagala for the Mityana Woman MP seat despite past party rifts. 
  • Bagala, a former journalist, enjoys strong grassroots support thanks to her work in healthcare, vocational training, and women’s empowerment. 

The clock is ticking for the National Unity Platform to begin distributing party tickets to their designated candidates for some of the most sought-after positions in the 2026 general elections. One of these positions is the Mityana District Woman MP seat, currently held by former journalist Joyce Bagala.

Bagala, a previous news anchor for Akaboozi FM and NBS, secured victory over the incumbent, Hon Judith Nabakooba, who now serves as the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development. Nonetheless, Bagala’s initial tenure in office has been fraught with controversies, particularly concerning her relationship with the NUP.

She experienced a rift with the party after aligning herself with her friend, former NUP deputy Hon Mathias Mpuuga. Bagala was part of a faction of NUP MPs, including Hon Medard Lubega Ssegona, who expressed sympathy towards Mpuuga.

Moreover, Bagala has frequently been targeted by the party’s online supporters, with many expressing that she should not be permitted to run again under the party’s banner. However, last month she discreetly collected nomination forms from NUP and contributed Shs 3 million to the party’s fundraising campaign.

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At present, she is contending against Prossy Nabbosa, who is supported by Hon Francis Zaake. Nevertheless, Bagala appears to have strong local support, largely attributed to her contributions within the district.

Bagala is noted for her significant efforts on behalf of women in Mityana. Reports indicate that she has advocated for improved healthcare access, including the implementation of mobile clinics for rural women, promoted vocational training initiatives to empower young women economically, and championed awareness campaigns regarding gender-based violence to protect and uplift her constituents.

As a result, these factors seem to position her favorably for obtaining the party ticket, despite the tumultuous relationship she has with NUP.

Additionally, with NRM’s Nabakooba seeking to regain her seat after winning the NRM primaries uncontested, NUP may feel compelled to take a strategic approach and grant Bagala a pass.

Meanwhile, she has been urged multiple times to issue an apology, particularly for her closeness to Mpuuga, despite the party’s clear stance on wanting to distance itself from the Nyendo-Mukungwe MP. However, Bagala has stated that she will refrain from apologizing until the party specifies what she is to apologize for.