As the 2026 general elections draw closer, Rubanda District stands on the verge of one of the most captivating political contests in the Kigezi sub-region. The Electoral Commission has confirmed only two candidates vying for the Woman Member of Parliament seat, the incumbent Hon. Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira Begumisa, the NRM flag bearer, and Evelyn Ninsiima Kikafunda, a determined independent and longtime advocate for environmental conservation.
This two-horse race isn’t just a political battle; it’s a test of legacy versus fresh momentum, a contest between experience and a call for change.
The Case for Change
Ms Evelyn Ninsiima Kikafunda, an independent candidate whose persistence and community-driven initiatives have earned her admiration beyond party lines. Despite losing in the NRM primaries, she refused to fade away, a move that highlights both her resilience and the growing discontent among voters seeking fresh ideas.
Kikafunda’s impact is visible in the lives she’s touched: donating over 450 wheelchairs to persons with disabilities, organizing a medical camp that treated over 7,000 people, giving 100 computers to St. Agatha Girls Secondary School, distributing 2,000 goats to women groups, and donating 5,000 pine seedlings for environmental conservation.
Her latest Shs 350 million Saucepans Project, aimed at supporting rural social groups, reflects a deep understanding of local needs.
Unlike many politicians who only emerge during campaign seasons, Kikafunda has maintained a constant presence, working, giving, and engaging. Her focus on healthcare, girl child education and environmental protection resonates deeply with communities that feel left behind by government programs.
She doesn’t just promise development; she practices it.
The Case for Continuity
Hon. Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira, now seeking her third consecutive term, has built her political brand around consistency, loyalty to the ruling NRM, and grassroots mobilization. Her record in Rubanda cannot be ignored, from championing local development projects to ensuring the district’s voice is heard in national decision-making.
Her message after nomination was simple yet strategic: “Equal access to government services for all residents.” She continues to promise an inclusive leadership style and pledges to extend safe water to every corner of Rubanda through the ongoing Lake Bunyonyi–Karengyere water project.
For many, Akampurira represents stability, a trusted hand that understands the system and knows how to navigate it for the district’s benefit. Yet, to others, she symbolizes the political fatigue that comes with long incumbency, the comfort zone that risks slowing innovation and accountability.
A District at a Crossroads
The Rubanda Woman MP race reflects a broader national conversation: Should voters reward tested experience or embrace transformative leadership rooted in community service and innovation?
Akampurira’s supporters argue that continuity ensures ongoing government support and stability, while Kikafunda’s backers believe Rubanda deserves a leader who listens, experiments and acts without political bureaucracy.
Whichever way the vote swings, one truth stands out, Rubanda’s women, youth, and elders will decide whether the district continues along a familiar path or takes a bold new turn.
This election is not merely about personalities; it’s about priorities. It’s about whether the next five years will be a continuation of promises or a renewal of purpose.
And in that decision lies the true test of Rubanda’s political maturity.
