NBS TV’s Zambaali Bulasio Mukasa has become the latest journalist to enter Uganda’s tumultuous political ring.
The deep-voiced news anchor and talk show host made his ambitions public at a rally in Kyebando during the recently concluded Kawempe North by-elections.
When Zambaali left the rally, his job was on the line and his political future appeared uncertain.
Zambaali, who joined NBS in 2019 after a stint at CBS, has made no secret of his intention to contest the Nansana Municipality parliamentary seat in the 2026 general elections under the National Unity Platform (NUP) banner.
His move from the newsroom to the political arena places him in a lineage of Ugandan journalists who have traded microphones/pens for manifestos—figures like Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda, Kazibwe Bashir, Joyce Bagala, Moses Kasibante, and Ssozi Kaddu Mukasa.
Yet the mixed fortunes of these predecessors suggest that Zambaali’s road ahead could be fraught with challenges, or as critics might put it, littered with landmines.
There is a growing sentiment among voters—that journalists-turned-politicians rarely deliver in Parliament. Zambaali got a taste of this when he was harangued and shouted at during a burial in Nansana recently.
Can he defy this narrative, or will he stumble like some before him?
Journalists’ love affair with politics
Over the years, media personalities in Uganda have leveraged their public profiles, eloquence, and grassroots connections to launch political careers, often with varying degrees of success.
Ssemujju, the outspoken MP for Kira Municipality, stands out as a beacon of achievement. A former journalist with The Observer, Ssemujju has carved a reputation as a formidable parliamentarian since his election in 2011 under the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
Known for his sharp intellect and fearless critique of the government, he has consistently championed accountability and democratic reforms.
Yes, he can be dramatic and all that but overall, Ssemujju’s presence has breathed some life into Parliament and his absence is always felt.
Contrastingly, others have flattered to deceive. Kazibwe, the Kawempe South MP elected in 2021 on a NUP ticket, exemplifies the pitfalls.
A former radio personality, Kazibwe rode the NUP wave to unseat FDC’s Mubarak Munyagwa. However, his constituents have grown disillusioned, accusing him of failing to deliver on promises and maintain a robust presence in Parliament.
Voters have even penned letters lamenting his silence on critical issues like rising commodity prices, urging him to amplify their voices. Similarly, Kaddu Mukasa, a former news anchor at CBS, who once represented Mityana South, was once chased from the constituency over his non-performance. Faded into obscurity after his tenure, leaving little legacy to speak of.
Bagala, another ex-journalist who ousted Information Minister Judith Nabakooba to become Mityana Woman MP in 2021, has also struggled to sustain the momentum of her initial victory, with critics pointing to a lack of tangible impact.
Moses Kasibante, a former Rubaga North MP, offers a mixed case. While he enjoyed popularity during his 2011-2021 stint, his defeat in the 2021 elections signaled a waning appeal, perhaps reflecting voter fatigue with media-turned-political figures.
These examples illustrate a recurring theme: while journalists often enter politics with fanfare, translating media charisma into legislative efficacy proves elusive for many.
Zambaali’s landmines
For Zambaali, the first landmine lies in the public’s souring perception of journalists in politics. This skepticism stems from the underwhelming track records of figures like Kazibwe and Kaddu Mukasa.
Some critics argue that journalists, accustomed to critiquing power rather than wielding it, often lack the practical skills—negotiation, policy formulation, and constituency service—needed to thrive in Parliament.
Zambaali, with his polished on-air persona and experience hosting Barometer, risks being pigeonholed as another articulate talker who cannot deliver action.
His suspension from NBS TV amplifies this challenge. Next Media’s policy mandates that staff pursuing political office step away from their roles to avoid conflicts of interest.
While this ensures journalistic integrity, it abruptly severs Zambaali’s platform—a stage where he engaged thousands and built his brand. Losing this visibility could weaken his connection with Nansana’s electorate, especially if rivals capitalize on the vacuum.
Another landmine is the competitive terrain of Nansana Municipality. The incumbent Hannington Musoke Wakayima will not go down without a fight.
First, he now has the money which he has been using to mobilise for re-election. Zambaali will have to marshal resources to outdo Wakayima, which wont be easy.
Secondly Zambaali will have to convince the leadership of NUP to give him the ticket ahead of Wakayima. This, in itself, will require a lot of convincing.
Can he succeed?
To succeed where others have stumbled, Zambaali must directly confront the critique that journalists are non-performers in Parliament.
Ssemujju provides the perfect blueprint: sustained engagement, intellectual rigor, and a clear legislative agenda. Zambaali could leverage his Barometer experience—where he dissected current affairs and held power to account—to craft a platform that resonates with Nansana’s urban electorate.
Yet if he wins in 2026 and chooses to be like Bashir Kazibwe, who retreated from parliamentary debates, Zambaali will have chosen a path of mediocrity that will not stand him in good stead with NUP and the voters.
He has the advantage of entering politics at a time when NUP’s populist appeal is still potent in Buganda. However, he must transcend the “media celebrity” tag by demonstrating substance over style.
Even Muhammad Ssegirinya, the late Kawempe North MP, defied expectations even when his formal education was modest.
He delivered an ambulance and a hospital within six months—feats that stunned his peers.
Zambaali, with his education and media-honed insights, arguably starts from a stronger footing. He can leverage those values and become a Ssemujju or choose the path of complacency taken by Kazibwe and become irrelevant come the next election cycle.
