Senior Economist and City Lawyer Patrick Kiconco Katabaazi has officially picked up expression of interest forms from the NRM Electoral Commission offices in Kampala, marking a significant step in his campaign to become Member of Parliament for Rukiga County in the 2026 general elections.
Armed with a strong background in economics, law, and project development, Katabaazi enters the political arena driven by a longstanding passion to serve his community and a desire to usher in meaningful, people-centered leadership.
Born in 1980 in Nyangorongoro Village, Rwamucucu Sub-county, Rukiga District, Katabaazi hails from a family deeply rooted in the local community. His educational journey began at Kihanga Boys Primary School, followed by Kigezi High School for both his O- and A-Level studies.
Pursuing higher education with zeal, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Development and Planning from Uganda Christian University, and a Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Centre.
His academic credentials are further strengthened by professional certifications in financial programming and fiscal law from institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the Economic Policy Research Institute in South Africa.
Katabaazi’s professional career has been marked by a unique blend of economic and legal expertise.
He began as coordinator for the Youth Economic Empowerment Project under the Uganda Cooperative Alliance and later joined the Parliamentary Budget Office, where he served for eight years.
During this time, he gained in-depth knowledge of Uganda’s economic policies, budgetary frameworks, and fiscal governance.
Now, Katabaazi seeks to translate this experience into impactful political leadership.
“I have always been a leader,” he reflects, recalling his school days as class monitor, health captain, and club head.
He also served as chairman of the Rukiga Students Association, a role that deepened his commitment to community service.
His bid for the Rukiga County MP seat is grounded in a vision to move beyond divisive, money-driven politics and focus instead on development, accountability, and inclusive governance.
“In politics, you have the chance to change society in a meaningful way,” Katabaazi asserts. “My focus is on addressing the key developmental issues facing our people.”
Katabaazi acknowledges the challenges that come with political campaigns in Uganda, including the high cost of running for office and internal party dynamics.
“Politics is a costly game,” he admits. “There’s prejudice, uncertainty, and sometimes a lack of unity in party structures. But despite all that, I remain focused.”
He emphasizes the need for integrity and vigilance in the electoral process, urging voters to protect their choices.
“If their vote doesn’t count, it’s not just me who loses it’s the people who lose the opportunity for better services,” he says.
Katabaazi is especially concerned about the development disparities between Rukiga and neighboring Rubanda District.
“Rubanda seems to be ahead in service delivery, partly due to their representation in national leadership positions like the Ministry of Finance,” he notes. “Rukiga needs strong, strategic leadership to catch up.”
With his economic expertise, Katabaazi believes he is well-positioned to advocate for fair resource allocation and better policy implementation.
“To bring services closer to the people, the quality of leadership is critical,” he says. “I bring both the experience and the strategic thinking needed to deliver results.”
Looking ahead to the 2026 election, he warns of the growing influence of money and religion in politics, particularly in the Kigezi region.
“Money in politics is a real concern,” he says. “We need the president to take a firm stand against those exploiting religion for political gain.”
Katabaazi’s message to the people of Rukiga is clear: choose leaders based on substance, not slogans.
“The people you see today will be the same people in office tomorrow,” he cautions. “Let’s focus on candidates who have a track record and a real vision for change.”
In the upcoming election, Katabaazi will be facing stiff competition from incumbent Roland Bish Ndyomugyenyi, running as an independent, and Alex Magezi Kanunga.
Yet, he remains confident that his experience, commitment and development-focused agenda will resonate with the electorate.
“I am ready to serve. Together, we can transform Rukiga into a region that thrives socially, economically, and politically,” he says.
