The National Unity Platform (NUP) has selected Irene Nampala, sister of the late Kalangala District Woman MP Hellen Nakimuli, as its official candidate for the upcoming by-election.

The announcement was made on Thursday at the party headquarters in Makerere Kavule during the unveiling of NUP’s 12th Parliamentary leadership team.

Harriet Chemutai, Chairperson of the NUP Election Management Committee, said Nampala emerged as the winner after a competitive selection process.

“We received 14 applications from women interested in carrying the NUP flag. Thirteen candidates underwent vetting and a ground survey, and Nampala emerged as the best candidate with 68.2% support,” Chemutai stated.

Nampala was officially handed the party flag by NUP Deputy President Lina Zedriga, who called on party members to rally behind her.

The by-election was triggered by the death of Hellen Nakimuli on April 19, 2026, just two months after her re-election.

She passed away following complications from surgery at Alexandria Hospital in Kampala.

According to the Constitution, the Electoral Commission must hold a by-election within 60 days of a parliamentary seat falling vacant due to death.

Nominations for the Kalangala District Woman MP by-election are scheduled for June 4 and 5, 2026, with campaigns running from June 8 to 22, and polling day set for June 24, 2026.