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- Minister of Energy Ruth Nankabirwa won't seek reelection in 2026
- She has represented the people of Kiboga since 1996
- After losing her seat in 2021, she will be canvassing for votes for her party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM)
Having represented the people of Kiboga since 1996, the 58-year-old is throwing in the towel.
She confirmed to voters in Kiboga district this week about her decision, which caught many by surprise.
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“I will not be on the ballot paper,” the minister announced during a belated Heroes Day celebration in Kiboga.
“I will be in the election but I won't be on the ballot,” she said, adding that her role in the next election season will be canvassing for votes for her party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
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The Energy minister had served five terms in Parliament before losing her seat to NUP’s Christine Nakimwero Kaaya in 2021.
She polled 22878 votes against Nakimwero’s 24767s.
Nankabirwa recounted how the loss felt like, during the Tuesday event.
“I was roasting maize with my husband when I heard that Nakimwero had won the election, I laughed,” she said.
“The president called me asking how it went and I told him I had no idea what had just happened.”
Ahead of the 2026 polls, Nankabirwa said she will be actively engaged in campaigns to ensure that the District Woman MP seat returns to the NRM.
The other two constituencies; Koboga East and Kiboga West are held by NRM MPs.
President Yoweri Museveni beat NUP’s Bobi Wine with a margin of only 490 votes in the district.