Kampala Woman Member of Parliament Shamim Malende is expected to return to Uganda on Monday, July 21, 2025, after spending three months in Nairobi, Kenya, receiving medical treatment.
Malende confirmed her return in a brief social media post on Wednesday, writing: “Coming back home, Monday 21/7/2025. Thank you, my people.”
The MP was flown to Nairobi on April 10 for specialized treatment following a month-long hospitalization at Nsambya Hospital in Kampala.
At the time of her departure, she revealed she had been battling severe abdominal pain and related complications that left her too weak to walk unaided.
While specific details of her medical condition have remained private, sources close to her say Shamim Malende has made a strong recovery and is eager to return to active politics.
Malende’s return comes at a crucial time as she prepares to defend her parliamentary seat in the 2026 general elections. Despite her absence, she was nominated to contest for the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket as Kampala Woman MP.
Her comeback is expected to stir internal party competition, with several candidates vying for the NUP flag. Among the leading contenders is Zahara Maala Lukyamuzi, the current Speaker of the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), who is reportedly eyeing the same seat.
A prominent opposition figure known for her legal background and fearless advocacy, Malende’s anticipated homecoming has excited her supporters and could inject new energy into the political landscape.
Her return is likely to reignite her campaign machinery and reshape the dynamics within opposition circles in Kampala ahead of a heated 2026 race.