Leadership Isn’t About Symbols And Parties!! Joyce Bagala Vows to Stand Firm with Mityana Despite Being Dropped by NUP

Mityana Woman MP Joyce Bagala has broken her silence after being dropped from the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) latest list of parliamentary flag bearers in Buganda, promising to remain steadfast in her service to the people who elected her.

Bagala, a prominent journalist-turned-politician who rose to Parliament in 2021 after defeating then-Minister Judith Nabakooba, has made it clear that her political journey is far from over—even without the party’s official backing.

“Losing the party card is not the end of the journey,” she told *Kamunye* in an exclusive interview on Tuesday evening. “My commitment to the people of Mityana remains unshaken, because leadership is about service, not symbols.”

The outspoken legislator was among several incumbents replaced in NUP’s sweeping reshuffle of candidates across the Buganda region, a move that has sparked debate within the party and among the electorate. In her place, NUP has selected Proscovia Mukisa, a relatively unknown entrant, to carry the party flag in the 2026 general elections for Mityana Woman MP.

But Bagala is not backing down.

“What matters most is not the card, but the trust and bond I share with my constituents. That is where my strength and legitimacy come from,” she emphasised, speaking with the composure of someone who has weathered political storms before.

A former news anchor at NBS Television, Bagala joined politics with a deep sense of public service and quickly became one of NUP’s most recognizable faces in Parliament. Her victory in 2021 was symbolic of the party’s then-surging influence in central Uganda.

Now, with the tide appearing to shift, she remains resolute.

“I respect the party’s decision, but I also know that the people’s voice is louder than any endorsement. I will continue to walk with them,” she added.

Her remarks reflect a growing sense of independence from formal party structures, suggesting she may be preparing to chart her own course—possibly as an independent candidate. While she has not officially declared her next move, speculation is already mounting over whether she will run solo in 2026 or tap into her grassroots base for a strong comeback.

The leadership of NUP has not given detailed reasons for the reshuffle, but insiders suggest the party is aiming to rejuvenate its ranks ahead of the next election cycle. The Buganda region, a NUP stronghold in the last elections, is particularly under scrutiny, with a number of incumbents being replaced by fresh faces.

Still, for many in Mityana, Bagala’s legacy and connection to the community remain powerful.

As political dynamics evolve and the 2026 elections draw closer, all eyes will be on whether Joyce Bagala can once again defy the odds and hold onto her seat—party ticket or not. One thing is certain: she is not going down quietly.