Suzan Kushaba Declares Bid for Kampala Central MP Seat, Vows to Champion Vendors' Rights

In a bold move that could shake up Kampala Central politics, Suzan Kushaba, a former chairperson of St. Balikuddembe Market (Owino) and a well-known advocate for market vendors, has officially declared her candidacy for the parliamentary seat in the 2026 general elections.

With a background deeply rooted in grassroots leadership, Kushaba has built a reputation for fearlessly taking on those she believes exploit the urban poor. She now seeks to elevate her advocacy to the national stage, aiming to directly influence policies that impact ordinary Ugandans. 

The Kampala Central parliamentary seat is currently held by Hon. Muhammad Nsereko, who recently announced that he will not seek re-election. His departure has left the position up for grabs, and Kushaba sees this as a critical opportunity to step in and address what she describes as a longstanding leadership gap.

For years, she argues, market vendors, street traders, and other low-income earners have been left vulnerable to corrupt systems that stifle their economic potential.

“Leadership has always been my dream,” Kushaba asserts. “I have always believed in standing up for those whose voices are ignored. And I have the leadership skills to do so.”

Born in Mbarara, Western Uganda, Kushaba has spent most of her life in Kampala, engaging in community activism and championing the rights of traders. From 2021 to 2023, she served as the chairperson of Owino Market, a tenure that she recalls as both rewarding and challenging.

Her leadership was marked by fierce confrontations with market authorities and powerful individuals whom she accused of exploiting vendors. “I faced resistance from vendors who had been misled, as well as politicians who saw me as a threat. But at the end of the day, I always found a way to rise above their schemes and put the vendors’ interests first,” she explains.

Kushaba was particularly vocal against unfair market fees, illegal middlemen, and government officials whom she claims treated public markets as personal businesses.

“Vendors were paying rent to brokers who were simply proxies for government officials. At the end of the day, the vendors were left with almost nothing,” she recounts. 

One of her most significant efforts was a petition she submitted during the tenure of then-Speaker Rebecca Kadaga, raising concerns about excessive market fees and vendor exploitation. However, she was disheartened when her petition was only tabled by Wakiso Woman MP Rosemary Sseninde, rather than a representative from Kampala.

“That was a wake-up call. It showed me that those in office were not interested in the struggles of the people they are supposed to represent,” Kushaba says.

Having fought for vendors' rights from outside the political system, Kushaba now believes the next step is to enter Parliament, where she can directly influence policy and hold leaders accountable.

“I have tried to raise my voice for the vendors, but it has been ignored. If my voice was too small for them to hear, then I will take it to the floor of Parliament, where they will have no choice but to listen,” she declares.

Kushaba credits her advocacy efforts for influencing President Museveni’s directive that all government markets be placed under the management of Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA).

However, she argues that corruption remains deeply entrenched, citing Busega Market as an example.

“Busega Market was built by the government to help ordinary people, but instead, officials have taken control of the stalls and either given them to their relatives or rented them out at high fees. If you are poor and unconnected, getting a space in such a market is nearly impossible,” she laments.

Beyond markets, Kushaba identifies youth unemployment and Kampala’s deteriorating infrastructure as key issues she intends to address.

“Kampala has become a city of potholes and jobless youth. It is heartbreaking to see people struggle daily while leaders remain silent. We need leadership that genuinely cares about the people,” she argues.

Determined to prepare herself for the demands of parliamentary work, Kushaba has returned to school and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations.

“Leadership is not just about good intentions, but also understanding systems and how to navigate them. That is why I went back to school,” she explains.

A staunch supporter of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Kushaba is also a member of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) and intends to contest on the NRM ticket.

She welcomes PLU’s endorsement of President Museveni for another term and urges fellow members to stand with her as well.

Kampala Central has long been considered an opposition stronghold, with the National Unity Platform (NUP) enjoying substantial support. Reports suggest that NUP is considering fielding its Secretary-General, Lewis Rubongoya, for the same parliamentary seat.

However, Kushaba remains unfazed.

“I am a tested leader. I have a track record, and my work in Kampala speaks for itself. At the end of the day, it is not about parties, but what you have done for the people,” she says.

She likens herself to a foot soldier, saying she has always been in the trenches fighting for the ordinary Ugandan. Now, she believes it is time to take that fight to a bigger platform.

“I have been on the ground, working with the people, standing with them in their struggles. It is time to elevate that fight and ensure their voices are heard where it matters most,” she says.

Even after leaving leadership, Kushaba has remained active in community initiatives, organizing events like the Sevo Cup, a football tournament aimed at engaging youth. She says President Museveni had promised a bus for the tournament’s winners, but to date, the pledge has not been fulfilled.

“The corrupt officials around the President have failed him. They block his promises from reaching the people. But the people are still waiting for their bus,” she notes.

As she launches her campaign, Kushaba is rallying market vendors, traders, and all residents of Kampala Central to support her bid, promising to be their voice in Parliament.

“It is time for the people of Kampala to stand up and take their place at the decision-making table. I am ready to fight for them,” she declares.

With her history of activism and an unwavering determination to push for change, Suzan Kushaba is setting the stage for what promises to be a highly contested race for Kampala Central MP.

Whether her grassroots appeal will be enough to sway voters in an opposition-leaning constituency remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—the iron lady is ready for the battle ahead.