Fiona Nakku wins Female Workers’ MP seat, defeats Agnes Kunihira by three votes

KAMPALA, Uganda — Fiona Nakku has been elected as the Female Workers’ Member of Parliament in Uganda’s 12th Parliament after a closely contested vote that was decided by a margin of just three ballots.

The election took place on Monday 19, January 2026 at Kibuli Secondary School in Kampala, where 630 workers’ delegates from across Uganda gathered to cast their votes in one of the most closely watched races among the workers’ representatives.

Nakku narrowly defeated the incumbent and National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, Agnes Kunihira, in what emerged as one of the tightest contests in the workers’ representative elections. According to the final tally, Nakku secured 290 votes, while Kunihira received 287.

Nakku, who is the sister of NRM National Treasurer Barbra Nekesa, had last year announced her intention to contest for the Female Workers’ Member of Parliament seat in the 2026 general elections.

Her entry into the race followed her earlier disqualification from contesting for the National Female Youth MP position on grounds that she exceeded the age limit for youth representatives.

The Female Workers’ MP seat is one of five workers’ representative positions that were contested during the elections held at Kibuli Secondary School.

The workers’ representative elections are part of a broader electoral process that is taking place in Uganda this year, including the presidential and parliamentary polls held on January 15, 2026, which have drawn significant national and international attention.

Observers noted that the razor‑thin margin in the Fiona Nakku–Agnes Kunihira contest underscored the competitiveness within the workers’ delegate electorate and reflected broader political dynamics within the NRM and opposition camps.

Workers’ MPs in Uganda play a unique role in Parliament, representing labour interests and participating in legislative debates that affect employment, labour rights and industrial relations.

Also Read: How Uganda’s MPs are shaping the 2026 election: The regional power map

Following her victory, a spokesperson for Nakku’s campaign described the result as a testament to her appeal among the electorate and her commitment to addressing issues affecting working Ugandans.

Agnes Kunihira, who had represented workers in the previous Parliament, acknowledged the close result, and called on her supporters to remain engaged in national labour advocacy regardless of the outcome.

Annet Burungi and independent Agaba Gilbert secured spots in the delegation, while incumbents Arinaitwe Rwakajara and Margaret Namubiru retained their seats.

Abdulhu Byakatonda was among the incumbents who lost their bids, while Charles Bakkabulindi did not seek re-election. 

Here is a clear list summarizing the final vote count for each Workers’ representative in Uganda’s 2026 election as released by the Electoral Commission (EC):

The outcome also highlights the evolving nature of internal political contests in Uganda’s broader electoral environment, where margins in some high‑profile races have mirrored closely contested outcomes in other elective positions.