BUTAMBALA: Meet Lydia Mirembe, The Iron Lady Making NUP’s Aisha Kabanda Sweat Plazma

Political temperatures continue to rise in Butambala District as the contest for the Woman Member of Parliament seat intensifies, with incumbent Aisha Kabanda of the National Unity Platform (NUP) facing mounting pressure from her former rival, Lydia Mirembe.

Local political observers say the race has shifted significantly in recent months, with Mirembe steadily gaining ground through sustained grassroots mobilization, a strategy that appears to be resonating with voters across the district.

The growing support for Mirembe has reportedly unsettled the incumbent, whose grip on the constituency is increasingly being questioned.

Kabanda, who defeated Mirembe in the previous election, has largely been visible on national platforms over the past few years, frequently appearing on radio and television talk shows to discuss national issues.

Critics, however, argue that this national focus came at the expense of consistent engagement with her constituents back home, despite Butambala being located just about 70 kilometers from Kampala.

Political analyst and resident Ssentongo Hamza of Kibibi notes that the perceived absence created an opportunity for Mirembe to strengthen her presence on the ground.

“This is the space that Lydia Mirembe exploited,” Ssentongo said. “She has been visible in communities, attending local functions and supporting community-led initiatives, including faith-based activities. That kind of engagement matters a lot to voters.”

Residents say Mirembe’s approachability and active participation in local affairs have helped her win the confidence of many voters, some of whom feel disconnected from the current leadership.

Reports from several parts of the district indicate that Kabanda has struggled to draw sizeable crowds at recent campaign activities, a development that has reportedly worried some local NUP leaders.

In an unusual political twist, some party members are said to be openly endorsing Mirembe, who is running as an independent, citing her strong local networks and consistent presence.

Nyanzi Faizal resident od Bulo stated that Kabanda needs to triple her efforts if she wants to retain this seat.

“There was a belief that having a National Unity Platform card alone was enough to win elections in Butambala. That thinking is now being challenged.” Nyanzi said.

He further suggested that NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, may need to intensify his involvement in the district if the party hopes to consolidate its support ahead of the polls.

Meanwhile, tensions on the campaign trail have occasionally boiled over. In several public engagements, Kabanda has reportedly faced heckling from sections of voters, with some encounters escalating into heated verbal exchanges.

As the campaign period progresses, political observers say the Butambala Woman MP race is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched contests in the district, with grassroots engagement emerging as a decisive factor in determining the outcome