Kazo District, Uganda — As the 2026 parliamentary elections draw closer, Hon. Jennifer Abaho Muheesi has emerged as the frontrunner in opinion polls conducted across Kazo District.
In a recent survey, conducted by a team visiting within the district, Muheesi has garnered overwhelming support, with 7 out of 10 villages pledging their readiness to vote her back into Parliament.
The strong backing from locals can largely be attributed to Hon. Muheesi’s persistent grassroots mobilization efforts and her active engagement in various government initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of residents.
According to residents, during her tenure as the Woman Member of Parliament for Kazo, Muheesi has worked tirelessly to support a range of government programs, including the Parish Development Model (PDM), as well as initiatives in the Education and Health sectors, alongside the Emyooga program.
These programs, which are designed to empower communities by providing financial and entrepreneurial support, have been key to Muheesi’s popularity among her constituents. Villagers have lauded her for effectively communicating the benefits of these programs, ensuring that many households and small businesses have access to much-needed resources.
One of the standout initiatives under her leadership has been her focus on providing support to smallholder farmers. Hon. Muheesi has worked to provide coffee seedlings to farmers, thereby improving the district’s agricultural output. This is particularly significant given Kazo’s reliance on agriculture for both food security and income generation.
“My farm has greatly benefited from the seedlings we received from Hon. Muheesi,” said John Kato, a coffee farmer from Kazo II parish. “Not only did the seedlings improve my yield, but the government programs she introduced have helped us with loans and training to grow our businesses.”
Beyond agriculture, Hon. Muheesi has also focused on empowering women and youth in the district by promoting income-generating activities. Many local entrepreneurs, especially women, have received startup capital and training to help them establish small businesses.
“Through the Emyooga program, I was able to start my small shop selling groceries,” said Martha Nabirye, a resident of Mbogo Parish. “Jennifer has been on the ground, supporting people like me who are trying to create a better future for our families.”
Her outreach efforts extend beyond economic empowerment. Muheesi has also been instrumental in improving access to essential services in Kazo.
Her collaboration with the Chinese company Yeshua Living Water has brought safe water to the people of Kazo II, Mbogo, and Kagarama parishes, addressing one of the community’s long-standing challenges. Residents have praised her for her proactive approach in ensuring that their needs are met.
“Access to clean water was a major issue in our area, but Jennifer made sure that our voices were heard and that solutions were implemented,” said Frank Tumwine, a resident of Kazo II.
Muheesi’s track record of championing these initiatives, coupled with her continued presence in the district, has bolstered her position as the preferred candidate.
Local observers note that her sustained efforts in voter mobilization and her deep connections with the community give her an edge as the election approaches.
While her main challenger, Molly Kamukama, has also been actively campaigning for the Woman MP seat, many locals express confidence in Muheesi’s leadership, citing her consistent focus on the needs of the people.
“As a district, we need someone who has proven that they can deliver, and that person is Jennifer Muheesi,” said a local village leader from Kazo.
With the 2026 elections fast approaching, the political landscape in Kazo District continues to heat up. The question remains: Will Muheesi’s grassroots approach and successful government programs be enough to secure her re-election, or will Kamukama’s renewed campaign sway the voters?
As the campaigns intensify, one thing is certain—Kazo voters are closely watching the developments and will have a critical say in shaping the future of their district.