In 2015, Judith Babirye, a popular gospel artiste, announced that she would contest for the Buikwe Woman MP seat in 2016. She would later beat incumbet Dorothy Mpiima to join the 10th Parliament. Another artist, dramatist Kato Lubwama, took over the Rubaga South seat formerly occupied by Ken Lukyamuzi.
The duo was not the only artistes who took up leadership positions. In 2017, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, another popular artiste, best known by his stage name Bobi Wine, won the Kyadondo East by-election.
The musician-turned-politician beat four other challengers, including NRM’s William Sitenda Ssebalu, Forum for Democratic (FDC) party’s Apollo Kantinti, and independents Nkunyingi Muwada and Dr Sowedi Kayongo Male.
The trio is among a few popular figures who have joined elective politics. As the 2021 General Election draws closer, many faces that have won public popularity in different occupations have expressed interest to join politics.
Among the most recent popular faces are…
