Mama Kampala landed.
Videos were everywhere yesterday. Hon. Shamim Malende, Kampala Woman MP, smiling as she walked through arrivals at Entebbe. Supporters shouting “Mama Kampala!” Hugs. Cheers. After months away on medical treatment in Kenya, she’s finally back in Uganda.
Why now? Because next week — 13th to 15th May — Parliament is swearing in MPs. And if you miss swearing-in, you don’t eat.
But her return started a fight Kampala did not expect.
What Ordinary Kampala Is Saying In Taxis And Markets
The boda rider at Old Taxi Park is angry. “She disappeared when we were being pushed away from our stages. Now swearing-in is near, she’s back. Is Parliament a hospital where you go only to pick medicine money?”
The market woman in Nakasero is softer. “But she was sick, my son. You’ve not been in hospital for years. Don’t judge. If she was in Kenya on treatment, what did you want her to do? Die in Parliament?”
The youth in Kamwokya is confused. “I voted for NUP. I voted for her in 2021. But since then, I only see her on court videos. When the Sovereignty Bill was being passed, where was she? We needed her voice.”
And the old man drinking tea in Katwe just laughs. “These MPs, ssebo, they remember Kampala when salary is ready. When there’s tear gas, they’re in Nairobi.”
That’s the street talk. Raw. Painful. Divided.
What Elite Kampala Is Whispering In Offices
The political analyst in Munyonyo is calculating. “Malende has been on parliamentary medical leave for years. That’s legal. But politics is not about law, it’s about presence. When you’re absent during the Sovereignty Bill — the biggest law this year — people ask: what are we paying you for?”
The lawyer at High Court is torn. “As a practicing lawyer, she knows the importance of being in the House when bad laws pass. Her procedural objections could have delayed the Bill. Her one vote could have forced a recount. But if she was truly sick, can we blame her?”
The NUP insider is sweating. “She appeared during the party ticket period. Became active in court cases. Won the sympathy vote. Then vanished again. Now she’s back for swearing-in. The optics are bad. Our enemies will say ‘NUP MPs are tourists’.”
The government mobilizer is smiling quietly. “Her absence meant opposition was outnumbered. Their objections were ignored. The Bill passed easily on Tuesday. Whether she was sick or not, NRM benefited.”
And the doctor in Mulago is asking the hard question: “If she was too sick to attend Parliament for years, is she well enough now to represent 2 million people in Kampala? Or is this just about securing the seat?”
The Real Questions Ugandans Must Ask, Without Fear
One: What is the duty of an MP? an MP has three jobs — legislate, represent, oversight. If you’re in hospital for years, you can’t do any. The law allows medical leave. But morality asks: “If I can’t work for years, should I resign and let someone able take over?”
Two: Why do sick MPs wait for swearing-in? The timing is ugly. You’re absent for Sovereignty Bill, for budget, for tear gas victims. But you fly in for swearing-in. Because without swearing-in, no salary, no car, no allowance. Ordinary Ugandans see that and say “these people are not like us”.
Three: Where is the accountability in NUP? Malende is not the only MP who disappeared. But she’s Kampala Woman MP — the biggest opposition seat. If NUP can’t ensure its top leaders are in Parliament during key votes, what’s the point of winning? The President’s side will always pass what they want.
Four: Did her absence cost Uganda? Let’s be honest. One vote would not have stopped the Sovereignty Bill. But her voice, her legal brain, her presence — that could have exposed flaws, delayed passage, forced amendments. Opposition is not about numbers only. It’s about noise, procedure, shame. When you’re not there, you give the other side a free pass.
Five: What happens after swearing-in? Will she stay and work? Or will she fly back to Kenya next month? Kampala has potholes, floods, evictions, unemployed youth. Kampala doesn’t need a ghost MP. Kampala needs a fighter.
The Deeper Problem: Uganda’s Parliament Of The Sick And Absent
Malende is not alone. Parliament has many MPs who are always “on treatment”. Some are old. Some are really sick. Some are just hiding.
But the result is the same: People’s issues don’t get debated.
When MPs are absent, bad laws pass. When MPs are silent, budgets are stolen. When MPs only come for money, citizens lose trust.
Ordinary Ugandans get fired if they miss work for 3 days. An MP can miss 3 years and still come back for swearing-in. That’s why people are angry.
So What Should Happen Next?
Hon. Malende must speak. Kampala doesn’t want airport videos. Kampala wants a press conference. “Mama, were you really sick? Show us medical proof!! Tell us your plan. Will you be in Parliament full-time now?” Silence will kill her career.
Voters must remember. In 2031, don’t vote names. Don’t vote sympathy. Vote people who will be there when tear gas starts. Vote people who will be there when bad Bills come. Because a vote for an absent MP is a vote for the government.
We must be human too. If she was truly sick, let’s not mock illness. Cancer, kidney, heart — these things kill. But if she’s healed now , then Kampala expects her to work like she’s never worked before. To make up for lost time.
Seeing Malende smile at Entebbe is good. We don’t wish sickness on anyone. But Kampala didn’t elect a traveler. Kampala elected a fighter.
Next week she’ll swear-in. She’ll get a Bible or Quran. She’ll raise her hand. She’ll promise to serve Uganda.
The question is: Will she?
Because the Protection of the Sovereignty Bill is now passed. The damage is done. The next bad Bill is coming. The next eviction is coming. The next budget cut is coming.
Will “Mama Kampala” be there? Or will we see her again in 2031, when it’s time to pick nomination forms?
Kampala is watching. Uganda is watching.
And, in 2026, watching is not enough. We need MPs who show up.
Because a chair in Parliament is not a hospital bed. It’s a battlefield.
And if you can’t fight, leave it for someone who can.
