Wanyoto Rallies Mbale Leaders At Iftar Gathering, Expresses Interest In Speaker Position

By Gad Masereka

Hon. Lydia Wanyoto Mutende, the Woman Representative for Mbale City, on Sunday evening hosted hundreds of Muslim faithful for a special Iftar dinner in Maluku, using the gathering to thank the community for its support in her recent electoral victory while also signalling her readiness to take on greater national leadership responsibilities.

The event brought together religious leaders, political figures, and residents from across Mbale who joined the legislator in breaking the Ramadan fast. Hon. Wanyoto told congregants that the dinner was both a moment of gratitude and reflection, saying she believed her return to Parliament was strongly tied to the prayers and support offered by the Muslim community during last year’s Eid celebrations.

“I came here to thank the Almighty and to appreciate our Muslim brothers and sisters who stood with me,” she said while addressing the gathering. “Your prayers and encouragement strengthened me during the elections, and I felt it was important to return and share this moment of Ramadan with you.”

The evening also served as a platform for promoting unity among leaders in the Bugisu sub region. Wanyoto revealed that she had invited several local political figures, including Karim Masaba and Umar Nangoli, as part of an effort to foster cooperation and collective leadership in Mbale and the surrounding districts. She emphasised that progress in the region would depend on leaders working together despite political differences.

“We must build unity among ourselves as leaders because the people of Mbale expect us to focus on development and service,” she told the gathering, drawing applause from attendees seated under the evening tents in Maluku.

In her remarks, the legislator also acknowledged the role played by women in the city’s civic life, particularly their participation in the recent International Women’s Day celebrations in Kololo. She commended women in Mbale for turning up in large numbers for the national event and said their engagement reflected a growing voice for women in leadership and community development.

Wanyoto further praised President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for what she described as recognising Mbale City’s consistent support for the ruling National Resistance Movement. She noted that the region had remained an important political base for the party and pledged to continue representing the interests of the city in Parliament.

During the same gathering, Wanyoto openly addressed growing speculation about her interest in the position of Speaker of Parliament in the forthcoming legislative term. She confirmed that she had formally written to President Museveni expressing her interest in the role, saying her decision was informed by years of experience in public service.

“I have served as an advocate, a diplomat, and a legislator, and I believe I have the experience to serve the country in that capacity if given the opportunity,” she said.

Religious leaders who attended the dinner used the occasion to remind Muslims about the spiritual significance of Ramadan and the importance of prayer and discipline during the holy month. Ahmed Wandega, the Deputy Mufti for Eastern Uganda, urged the faithful to remain steadfast in prayer and to use the period to strengthen their faith and unity within the community.

Political leaders present at the gathering also expressed support for Wanyoto’s leadership. Halima Nandege, the chairperson of the NRM Women’s League, praised residents and party structures in Mbale for entrusting Wanyoto with the mandate to represent the city in Parliament, saying the confidence placed in her reflected her long record of service.

As the evening prayers concluded and guests shared the evening meal, the Iftar gathering carried a tone that blended faith, politics, and community reflection. For Wanyoto, the event was both a gesture of gratitude and a moment that placed her within the broader conversation about leadership in the country as preparations for the next parliamentary term gradually gather momentum.