World over, endless stories have been told, scripted and documented about the gradual success of top personalities whose glorification stems from humble beginnings and backgrounds.
Rugs to riches testimonies are boldly testified in public forums; majorly to inspire and give hope to the young population.
Iron lady, Joyce Nabatta Namuli is not exception. Now aspiring for Entebbe Municipality Member of Parliament seat on the ticket of National Unity Platform (NUP), Nabatta’s story has been one of courage, zeal, determination and enthusiasm.
A daughter of a famous Tailor in Katabi Town Council, Nabatta grew up in a modest family and with brevity she has become the person of society’s substance, with an enviable Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Finance).
In a detailed sit-down interview; she speaks of her reserved family background, challenges of life, opportunities and her political journey.
Entebbe News: Who is Nabatta boldly speaking?
Hon. Nabatta: I am Nabatta Namuli Joyce, a proud daughter of a Tailor. I was born on Independence Day, 9th October 1984 in Entebbe Municipality.
Entebbe News: How has your education journey been?
Hon. Nabatta: From baby steps; I have aggressively managed to go through the different levels of education from Nursery school until my Masters’ Degree in Business Administration (Finance).
I completed my O and A level education studies at Entebbe Parents Secondary School. I proceeded to Kyambogo University; first for a Diploma in Accounting and Finance before upgrading to a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance; still at Kyambogo University.
Last year (2024), I completed my Master’s Degree in Business Administration (Majoring in Finance) from St Lawrence University, Kampala Campus.
I hold quite a number of other qualifications as Trainer of Trainers (TOT) in Gender Based Training.
Entebbe News: Take us through your leadership experience
Hon. Nabatta: All throughout my life; I have been a leader of sorts. Right from my primary school to-date, I have implored my leadership skills. I have previous served as the secretary of MUNNAKU KAMMA SACCO (Kisubi), Buganda Women leader Ggombolola Katabi Ssabaddu, Buganda Women leader Muluka Katabi – Entebbe, Coordinator of Global Hand Initiative Entebbe, Founder of Single and Young Mothers Association Entebbe, Community Public Health Personnel Stewards Rotaract Club of Nkumba (Entebbe), Assistant Treasurer Red Cross Entebbe Branch, a Women league leader Mobilizer in Wakiso District (2022 to-date) and many others.
Entebbe News: Have you been employed?
Nabatta: Yes. Since 2004 up to date I have been working with Youth Association For Rural Development as a finance manager. Between 2016 to 2020, I worked as part time manager in Entebbe Stage Drivers’ & Conductors’ SACCO (ESCADA).
Entebbe News: How and since did you join elective politics?
Hon. Nabatta: I joined politics in 2020 and aspired as Entebbe Municipality Member of Parliament in 2021. During the 2021 elections, I stood as an independent candidate out of 9 aspirants where I managed to get 1,113 votes over Democratic Party (DP), Forum For Democratic Change (FDC), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) and other independent candidates. I was in position to deploy agents all polling stations and I managed to get all my Declaration Forms.
Entebbe News: When did you Join the National Unity Unity Platform?
Hon. Nabatta: On 15th January 2021, I made the bold decision to join the National Unity Platform (NUP). I was appointed as the Women League Leader Entebbe Municipality.
Entebbe News: What have you achieved since you joined National Unity Platform?
Hon. Nabatta: Immediately I joined National Unity Platform (NUP), I mobilized all the task force I had to join NUP and all the 85 members joined the party. I trained party women leaders and other citizens hand craft during that COVID -19 pandemic under NUP Women League as a method of mobilizing more for the party. I spear-headed the Charity in Entebbe to donate for Pallisa people and I fully participated in taking the donations to Pallisa being headed by Rahma Juma Lubowa.
Entebbe News: You have been cited on a number of campaign trails for by-elections across the country. How did you manage to pull it off?
Hon. Nabatta: It has been by the Grace of God that I was actively involved in different by-elections to solicit for votes for the candidates of National Unity Platform (NUP).
In 2021 I participated in Kayunga by-elections for Hon Harriet Nakwedde when she was replacing late Chair Man L.C 5 Ffefeka Sserubogo. I took part in the campaigns of Bbale and Galirayi together with the team I facilitated from Entebbe and still I commanded a team of agents from Entebbe Municipality to Nazigo Town Council (3days) which was our electoral area. I managed to deploy all the agents and all the DR Forms were delivered. In 2022, I maximally participated in mobilizing women to stand for the women councils in the 15 villages out of 24 villages (9 barracks) of Entebbe Municipality and in the other Constituencies of Wakiso District both for the first phase and Second phase2023. In 2022 I participated in Omoro byelections for the late Toolit Simon. In 2023 I participated in Hoima byelections for Aguda Moses. In 2023 I participated in Hoima by-elections for Aguda Moses.
In 2024, together with Entebbe team that I was mobilizing we participate in the presidential Country mobilization tours. In March 2024, I participated in Dokolo by-elections for Hon Harriet Ageno. I participated in the massive exercise of mobilizing members to join NUP through selling party membership cards up to now. In November 2024, I participated in Kisoro by-elections for Hon Sultan Tana. In March 2025, I fully participate in Kawempe North by-elections for Hon Nalukoola Erias Luyimbazi. I went further to participated in Serere by-elections for Hon. Alice Alaso whom the party decided to support in February 2023 still together with a team from Entebbe Municipality. It is worthy-noting that I did not only supervise the elections above but I also facilitated agents from Entebbe to the above elections and mobilized votes for the candidates.
Entebbe News: National Unity Platform has passionate foot soldiers. How have you been part and parcel of their struggle?
Hon. Nabatta: I have visited and supported some of our comrades in jail, foot soldiers’ families who lost their dear ones in the struggle in one way or the other. I have participated in the mobilization of the Youths elections from registration exercise, mobilizing them to stand on the party card through giving them hope, confidence and resilience in different areas of Wakiso District not forgetting Entebbe Municipality and I have also worked hand in hand with the registrar Entebbe Municipality to see that 15 villages nominate Youth leaders & elderly in the coming youth and elderly elections. Entebbe Municipality has needy people that require help; the poor mothers who cannot even afford maternity bills, boda boda riders, taxi drivers and many others.
Entebbe News: Any involvement in community projects?
Hon. Nabatta: Oh yes and on a large scale. The small scale industry for many women in Entebbe right from the time I founded single mothers association has been closely under my docket. From craft-making, fish vending, tailoring and the like, I have supported the women and other youth whole heartedly. I have also been part of the re-green Entebbe initiatives, the borehole project across Entebbe Municipality. It is not surprising therefore that I was recognized in 2023 when I won an award for the Face of Entebbe Community award as the best Community Personnel.
Entebbe News: You are a pro-sports person. What is the magic behind sports?
Hon. Nabatta: Sports unifies all the people regardless of age, tribe, religion or political affiliation. Virtually, sports has the unique unlocking magical codes for unity. I have been part and parcel of sports development in both Divisions (A and B). Different tournaments in Football, Netball, Volleyball and Cycling have been organized. We shall continue to venture into other disciplines like Boxing.
I successfully hosted the netball foot soldiers’ tournament in Entebbe in 2024 and participated in the NUP youth tournament which I usually host on every Women’s Day ceremony. These sporting moments have been a golden opportunity to mobilize for the party and generally the entire community. Sports alone, there are lots of talents that need to be enhanced and development as music, dance and drama, poetry as well as technical skills like hair-dressing, bakery, carpentry, joinery and plumbing, among others.
Entebbe News: Your last remarks?
Hon. Nabatta: I am exceedingly humbled for this interview. I thank my family members, my friends, my camp members, the National Unity Platform and all the general population of Entebbe. It is time to work for the people of Entebbe Municipality, lobby the best opportunities for them and work in unison as one single block for unity and prosperity.
