FREDERICK RUHINDI RETURNS: FORMER ATTORNEY GENERAL PICKS NRM NOMINATION FORMS FOR NAKAWA EAST SEAT
Speaking to the press shortly after collecting his nomination forms, Fred Ruhindi expressed deep conviction about returning to serve the people of Nakawa East. “My leadership is a calling. Nakawa East residents are yearning for my service and have requested me to come back and serve them,” Ruhindi stated.
Former Attorney General and long-serving Member of Parliament for Nakawa Division, Frederick "Fred" Ruhindi, has officially declared his intention to return to elective politics. Ruhindi, who represented Nakawa Constituency in the Ugandan Parliament from 2001 to 2016, picked up nomination forms from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission headquarters in Kyadondo on Thursday, signaling a fresh bid to reclaim the Nakawa East Constituency seat ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The development comes as the ruling NRM party kickstarts its internal electoral roadmap, inviting aspiring candidates from across the country to express interest in contesting for various political offices, including parliamentary seats and district chairperson roles. The process, launched on June 2, 2025, will run until June 15, with formal nominations scheduled for June 17.
“Leadership Is a Calling” – Ruhindi
Speaking to the press shortly after collecting his nomination forms, Fred Ruhindi expressed deep conviction about returning to serve the people of Nakawa East.
“My leadership is a calling. Nakawa East residents are yearning for my service and have requested me to come back and serve them,” Ruhindi stated.
The former MP emphasized that his experience, track record, and commitment to public service position him well to represent the constituency effectively once again.
He highlighted the four core roles of a Member of Parliament which he says he excelled in during his previous tenure:
Legislation: Participating in the drafting and passing of laws that provide a framework for Uganda’s development.
Representation: Advocating for the views and concerns of his constituents at the national level.
Budget Approval: Scrutinizing and approving the national budget and financial loans to ensure responsible public expenditure.
Oversight: Holding government institutions accountable by monitoring fund utilization and ensuring adherence to the rule of law.
Fred Ruhindi: A Legal and Political Veteran
Fredrick Ruhindi, popularly known as Freddie Ruhindi, is a seasoned lawyer and political figure with over four decades of public service. His distinguished career began in 1981 as a State Attorney in the Ministry of Justice & Constitutional Affairs. He later became Corporation Secretary at the Uganda Investment Authority between 1992 and 1999.
In 2001, Ruhindi transitioned into active politics, successfully contesting for the parliamentary seat in Nakawa Division, Kampala District. He retained this seat in the 2006 elections and served until 2016.
His ministerial journey includes serving as the State Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs from 2006 to 2015, and Deputy Attorney General during the same period. In March 2015, he was elevated to the role of Attorney General of Uganda, a position he held until the 2016 cabinet reshuffle.
The NRM’s internal electoral exercise is being overseen by Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission. He confirmed that the nomination process has commenced smoothly at the Kyadondo headquarters.
“Any member vying for a parliamentary seat must pay a non-refundable fee of three million shillings,” Dr. Tanga stated, reaffirming the guidelines and urging all aspirants to adhere to the timeline.
The nomination period ends on June 15, 2025, while official candidate nominations will be held on June 17, setting the stage for spirited campaigns leading up to the 2026 general elections.
Fred Ruhindi's comeback is likely to stir significant political interest in Nakawa East. His legal expertise, long-standing service history, and close ties with the ruling party make him a formidable candidate. While the constituency has seen new political faces emerge since 2016, Ruhindi’s return adds weight to the NRM's mobilization efforts in the Kampala Metropolitan area, a region where opposition parties have gained ground in recent years.
Whether the veteran politician can reclaim his former glory will largely depend on how well he reconnects with voters and addresses the pressing urban challenges facing Nakawa East, including unemployment, service delivery, and infrastructure development.
By John Kusolo,
Political Correspondent – Kampala
