As the 2021 general election looms closer, several musicians, radio and television personalities, comics and other celebrities have started compiling or dusting their political CVs to contest for different parliamentary seats.
Here are some that you can expect on the ballot and where:
- Ronald Mayinja
After decades of singing political songs such as Africa, Bunkenke, among others that seemingly yielded no fruit, Golden Band maestro, Ronald Mayinja has already even released his campaign posters.
Mayinja is wasting no time in making his intentions known by the voters in Gomba district that he is the man with the vision to deliver the constituency to greater heights.
The Bizeemu singer however, will have it all to do to redeem himself after he made a surprise appearance before President Museveni in Kiboga alongside the infamous Tubonga Naawe crew as the ruling NRM celebrated the constitutional amendment that removed the age limit.
2. Catherine Kusasira
If you have been wondering how or even why Catherine Kusasira has been President Museveni’s golden girl of 2018, you now have your answer.
Kusasira promised to deliver Wakiso district – a known opposition stronghold to the NRM come 2021 when she contests as the district’s Woman MP. Not entirely surprising huh!? Didn’t think so!
The public has been calling her a “minister for condolences?” having been chosen by the president to deliver a Shs20m token to the family of the late Muhammad Kirumira and Bobi Wine’s driver, Yasin Kawuma (RIP).
Kusasira could easily turn her criticism into political capital that will land the ministerial position just like that.
3. Dr Hilderman
He may have sang for her one of the best campaign songs of 2016 but Dr Hilderman (Hillary Kiyaga) as he is affectionately known has turned the guns against his former master and trade minister Amelia Kyambadde in Mawokota.
According to Hilderman, Kyambadde has not lived up to the expectations of her constituents hence the decision to take on the mantle himself in 2021.
To prove his love for his birthplace, Hilderman named his recently born son Wokota and from our sources on ground, the singer is tipped to give the long-time Presidential Secretary a run for her money if he sustains the momentum that is partly inspired by Bobi Wine with whom he is closely associated under the People Power movement.
4. Geoffrey Lutaaya 
One can now comfortably say that entertainers have finally found the goose that lays the golden eggs – politics. Even the boss of De Nu Eagles – Geoffrey Lutaaya is going back home in Kyotela to represent his people in Parliament.
The singer who has been in and out of the media for several reasons recently enrolled for a short course in Computer Science at Makerere University.
The political awareness of the musician coupled with his soft spot for the people
in the Greater Masaka area and proximity to President Museveni’s ear puts Lutaaya in a favourable position.
It could an Eagles Production thing as Mayinja and Kusasira were also founding members of the defunct band.
5. Eddy Yawe, again
After losing the Kira Municipality seat to FDC masterclass, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda in 2016 and the Kampala Central seat in 2011, one would expect that Yawe – Bobi Wine’s big brother learnt his lesson but not quite.
The lovey-dovey singer with the voice that makes women lose their wigs is back – this time with the backing of the new political wave – People Power.
Yawe whose critics had written off as “politically cursed” is confident that
this time round, he will shoot straight to Parliament and together with his little brother; they will be a force to reckon with.
Witty radio personality at Mengo’s Central Broadcasting Services (CBS), Patriko Mujuuka has already set the ball rolling in Nakifuma – the intersection of Mukono and Kayunga districts – where he will base to launch at Parliament.
The constituents who enjoy his humour have already bought into him and are only waiting for his face to appear on the ballot preferably under the Democratic Party ticket so they can shower him with votes.
Mujuuka has unleashed several programmes in the area including football tournaments for the youth, church fundraisers for school going children and has been attending local functions in a bid to buy himself social capital among the voters.
7. Flavia Namulindwa
Gomba seems to be the centre of attraction having already pulled Ronald Mayinja and now the naturally endowed Flavia Namulindwa who is vying for the new district’s Woman MP Seat.
An entertainer, media personality and show host, Flavia is as frequent in the news as is with men having been linked to several men in the recent past.
The 29-year-old, however, looks keen to settle and present the views of fellow women in Gomba to Parliament the same way she presents music on her show on Bukedde Television.
8. Levixone
Gospel musician, Sam Lucus Lubyogo popularly known by his stage name, Levixone is learning from the best. With fellow gospel artiste Judith Babirye in Parliament representing Women from Buikwe district, the youngster has also set plans in motion to sit in the August House.
The only problem is he intends to unseat fellow entertainer – Hon. Kato Lubwama in Lubaga South.
Lubwama’s term in parliament has been rather controversial and has left most of his supporters wondering whether he is on a mission to represent their views or to earn a hefty pay cheque. But who cares, the money is there for the taking right?
9. Julius Ssenkandwa
Journalist Julius Ssenkandwa recently put down the camera and microphone to give Luwero Triangle Minister, Dennis Galabuzi a bloody nose in Busiro North constituency.
Ssenkandwa whose socio-political reporting at the Serena-based NTV Uganda made him a household name will look to capitalize on his popularity as a political launch pad to unseat the experienced and connected Galabuzi come 2021.
Other celebrities who are rumoured to run for political office are Ragga Dee, Katongole Omutongole, NBS Simon Muyanga Lutaaya and motor mouth Frank Gashumba.