Singer Nina Roz Declares Parliamentary Bid for Sembabule Woman MP Seat Under NUP Ticket

By: Alexander Luyima
Director, Community Programs and Information – African Descent Ontario (ADSON)

In a bold and transformative political move, Ugandan music icon Nina Kankunda, widely known by her stage name Nina Roz, has declared her intention to contest for the Sembabule Woman Member of Parliament seat. Her campaign poster, emblazoned with the emblem of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the image of NUP party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (Bobi Wine), signals a significant shift from entertainment to governance.

Clad in the signature red beret of the People Power movement, Nina Roz stands as a symbol of youthful energy, resilience, and a new dawn for Sembabule district. Her campaign slogan, “Twetukireyo” (loosely translated as “We have risen up” or “We have taken our place”), echoes the aspirations of many Ugandans—especially women and youth—longing for representation, justice, and inclusive leadership.

Who is Nina Roz?

Born Nina Kankunda, Nina Roz is a celebrated Ugandan singer, songwriter, and fashion icon. She burst onto the music scene with hits like Omuliro, Anayinama, and Billboard Kipande, quickly becoming a household name due to her distinctive voice, style, and authenticity.

Educated at St. Stephen’s Kisugu and Kakungulu Memorial School, Nina Roz studied at the International University of East Africa (IUEA), where she balanced academics and music before fully pursuing her artistic passion. Over the years, she has used her platform to speak out on issues affecting young women, mental health, and gender-based violence.

Her decision to join politics under the NUP is not just symbolic; it represents a deeper commitment to fighting for justice, dignity, and equity—values she says were long overshadowed by the ruling regime’s grip on power.

NUP’s Mission and the Human Rights Crisis in Uganda

The National Unity Platform, under the leadership of Bobi Wine, has positioned itself as the primary opposition force against President Yoweri Museveni’s nearly four-decade rule. The party has been at the forefront of exposing human rights abuses that have plagued Uganda, especially during and after the 2021 general elections.

Among the key abuses NUP seeks to challenge are:

• Enforced disappearances: Dozens of Ugandan youths have vanished under mysterious circumstances, with families left in anguish and fear.

• Torture and illegal detention: Numerous NUP supporters and ordinary citizens have reported severe torture while in military detention, particularly in notorious facilities like CMI and SIU.

• Restrictions on freedom of assembly and speech: The regime continues to clamp down on opposition rallies, media, and civil society, undermining democracy and transparency.

• Targeted violence against women activists: Female NUP members and opposition voices have faced both physical and psychological abuse, a matter Nina Roz says must be urgently addressed.

A New Era for Sembabule

Sembabule district, located in central Uganda, has long struggled with underdevelopment, youth unemployment, and poor service delivery. Nina Roz’s candidacy is poised to energize a younger electorate and challenge the status quo. She promises to:

• Empower women and girls through education and economic programs.

• Promote mental health awareness and youth mentorship.

• Ensure government accountability and transparency at the local level.

• Advocate for justice and the release of all political prisoners.

Nina Roz’s shift from the studio to the campaign trail is more than a personal journey—it’s a political statement. It speaks to the power of the arts to inspire change and the readiness of Uganda’s younger generation to take ownership of their future.

As Sembabule heads toward a potentially historic election, the world watches to see if the melody of change, as sung by Nina Roz, will echo through the corridors of Parliament.