KALANGALA: As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) heads into the Kalangala District Woman MP by-election, the party’s candidate, Idah Nabayiga, has outlined a comprehensive development agenda aimed at addressing the unique challenges facing the island district.
Nabayiga said once elected into office, her priority will be to improve service delivery and create economic opportunities for the people of Kalangala by focusing on healthcare, infrastructure, fisheries, tourism, and employment.
In a media interview on Thursday, she noted that the district’s geographical location as an island presents challenges that require special government attention and targeted interventions.
Among her key priorities is the improvement of healthcare services. She points out that Kalangala currently has only two Health Centre IV facilities, one in Kyamuswa Constituency and another in Bujumba Constituency, forcing many patients to travel long distances at a high cost in search of better medical services.
To address this challenge, she plans to lobby government to establish a fully equipped hospital in Kalangala District to reduce costly referrals to mainland districts such as Masaka, Entebbe and Kyotera and ensure residents can access quality healthcare closer to their homes.
Nabayiga also identified the poor road network as a major obstacle to development. While Kalangala Town Council has a few kilometres of tarmac roads, she said key roads connecting different parts of the district remain unpaved, making transportation difficult for residents and businesses.
The NRM candidate pledged to advocate for the tarmacking of major roads in the district to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, and enhance service delivery.
On the fisheries sector, which remains the backbone of Kalangala’s economy, Nabayiga acknowledged the challenge of illegal fishing but argued that many fishermen engage in the practice due to financial constraints. She said she will lobby government to provide affordable loans and financial support to fishing communities so they can acquire recommended fishing gear and operate within the law while improving their incomes and livelihoods.
She also intended to push for the revival of major development initiatives that were previously planned for the district, including the Mweena Aquapark Project and the oil palm expansion programme in Kyamuswa. According to Nabayiga, these projects hold enormous potential to create jobs, boost household incomes and stimulate economic growth.
She recalled that the Aquapark project was expected to significantly address unemployment in the district and pledges to work with government to ensure its implementation.
Recognising Kalangala’s status as one of Uganda’s leading tourism destinations, Nabayiga said more investment is needed to unlock the sector’s full potential. She plans to lobby for increased government funding and support towards tourism development, arguing that the district’s natural attractions can generate more revenue, create employment opportunities and contribute significantly to national development if properly promoted and developed.
Nabayiga believes her experience gives her an advantage over other candidates. Having worked in the district for more than five years, served as a Senior Human Resource Officer in Kalangala District Local Government and later represented the district in Parliament, she says she has a deep understanding of the challenges facing the people and the solutions required to address them. She added that her experience in Parliament gives her a clear understanding of legislative processes and government programmes, enabling her to effectively advocate for the district.
She also said she understands where Kalangala has come from, where it is today and where it should be in the next five years. She has, therefore, appealed to all voters, regardless of political affiliation, to support her candidature, pledging to provide focused leadership that will improve the welfare of residents and accelerate the district’s social and economic transformation.
