Mityana Woman MP Joyce Bagala has reaffirmed her longstanding friendship with former Leader of the Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, stating that their personal relationship remains intact despite their diverging political paths.
During an appearance on the NBS FaceOff show, Bagala dismissed any suggestion that political affiliations could undermine genuine friendships.
“I’m not someone who abandons friends because of politics. Mpuuga is my friend, and that will not change,” she said.
Bagala emphasized that her ability to collaborate across political lines has never been in question.
“I work with many people who are not part of the National Unity Platform (NUP), such as Mpuuga, Dr. Kizza Besigye, and Ssemujju Nganda,” she added.
When asked why she remains in NUP instead of joining Mpuuga’s newly formed Democratic Front (DF), Bagala clarified that friendship does not dictate political allegiance.
“I’m in NUP and he’s in DF—but we remain friends. I have a good working relationship with him.”,she clarified.
Despite previous tensions with the NUP leadership, Bagala has picked nomination forms to run again on the party’s ticket in the 2026 elections. Her relationship with Mpuuga has drawn criticism from some within NUP, especially in light of his fallout with the party.
Bagala now faces a strong internal challenge from Prossy Mukisa, popularly known as Nabbosa, a close associate of senior NUP figure and Mityana Municipality MP, Francis Zaake.
Whoever wins the NUP nomination will face Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the general election.
Nabakooba, who lost the seat to Bagala in 2021, is reportedly preparing a well-funded campaign in a bid to reclaim it.
