BUGWERI, Uganda — In the heart of the verdant Busoga region, under the lively canopy of the Igombe Trading Centre, the energy was electric. Hundreds of voices rose together, chanting for hope and change as Mercy Walukamba took the stage as the official flag bearer of the National Unity Platform (NUP) for the Woman MP seat in Bugweri District. It was more than a campaign launch; it was a movement in motion.
Walukamba has already made her mark within the NUP. As chairperson of the party’s Election Management Committee, she oversaw the vetting of candidates and defended the integrity of the process at a time when transparency in internal politics was rare. She also endured personal risk for the party’s cause, having been abducted alongside other NUP officials — an incident that underscored the dangers of opposition politics in Uganda. That experience positioned her not as a newcomer, but as a leader who understands the terrain of power, risk and resilience.
Bugweri District, rich in culture and community, has long yearned for leadership that listens and acts. By choosing Igombe as her campaign launch site, Walukamba sent a message: she is committed to being among the people, hearing their concerns face-to-face and working from the ground up.
Her affiliation with the NUP provides a platform built on renewal, accountability and inclusion — values that resonate deeply with the district’s aspirations. In a region often overlooked, a candidate connected to both grassroots realities and national networks offers a rare bridge between local needs and national advocacy.
Mercy Walukamba is a candidate with backbone. She has shown courage in the face of intimidation and has remained steadfast in her pursuit of justice and good governance. Politics in Uganda is rarely easy, yet Mercy has navigated its storms with calm determination. That kind of resilience matters when we send someone to represent us in Parliament.
She brings a unique balance between national party strength and local relevance. While many local politicians have community roots, they often lack the reach and influence of a national movement. Others may have strong party backing but remain distant from everyday people. Mercy unites both — a national figure with deep local connection, whose politics begins and ends with the people of Bugweri.
Her message at Igombe reflected more than political ambition; it carried a genuine understanding that leadership is about service. She spoke of community development, youth inclusion, education, healthcare, and equitable access to opportunities — not as distant policy ideas, but as urgent realities for Bugweri families. She has consistently emphasised empowerment over dependency, and action over rhetoric.
Mercy’s presence at Igombe also revealed something rare in politics: connection. The crowds that gathered weren’t just spectators — they were participants. Their chants, songs, and shared excitement spoke to a collective belief that this campaign represents a turning point. That kind of enthusiasm isn’t manufactured; it’s earned.
Her campaign priorities reflect the lived struggles of the people. She envisions an empowered youth population, with access to skills and opportunities that can transform livelihoods. She sees local traders — the women and men who fill Bugweri’s markets — as vital engines of growth that deserve better infrastructure, fairer trade systems, and reliable public services. She understands that when women lead, communities thrive, and when leaders listen, progress follows.
Mercy Walukamba’s experience within NUP also means Bugweri will have a strong voice in the national conversation. She represents a new generation of leaders who are ready to question the status quo and insist on transparency and justice. Her role within the party has earned her credibility and respect across Uganda’s political spectrum — qualities that will serve Bugweri well in Parliament.
Bugweri stands at a defining moment. The coming election is more than a contest between candidates; it is a choice between stagnation and renewal, between voices that echo old politics and voices that speak for a new Uganda. Mercy Walukamba embodies that new voice — firm, compassionate, principled, and grounded in the realities of her people.
The launch at Igombe was only the beginning. What unfolded there was a glimpse of the energy, unity, and belief that can transform a district. Bugweri deserves a leader who listens, who acts, and who brings both courage and competence to the table. Mercy Walukamba is that leader — the candidate Bugweri can trust, and the woman ready to carry the people’s voice to Parliament.
Mercy Walukamba — the leader Bugweri has been waiting for.
