In a move that has sent ripples through Uganda’s political and entertainment circles, celebrated singer and actress Stecia Mayanja has been unveiled as the new President of the National Peasants Party (NPP), formally marking her dramatic entry into active politics.
Once best known for her emotive ballads like “Equalizer” and “Kawompo”, as well as her acting roles in The Honourables and the web series Stecia and the House Girl, Mayanja has now taken center stage in a very different arena. Her political ambitions, once brushed off by critics as social media stunts, now carry the full weight of a party leadership position, a development that has both surprised and stirred the public.
Speaking at her unveiling on Friday, a confident Mayanja declared:
“I shall carryout my duties with honesty, diligence and integrity and always act in the best interest of the party and the people of Uganda.”
The announcement comes just weeks after she declared her intention to contest for the Kampala Woman MP seat in the 2026 general elections, currently held by Shamim Malende of the National Unity Platform (NUP). Her ascension to the NPP presidency cements her commitment to that race and suggests a broader strategy to position herself not just as a candidate, but as a political force.
Although founded in 2004 by Hajj Elias Wamala Miyagi and others, the National Peasants Party had remained largely inactive until now. After failing to secure a presidential nomination in 2006, the party had faded into obscurity, existing mostly in name. But that has changed. Following a major rebranding published in the Uganda Gazette this April, NPP is re-emerging with a bold national agenda.
The party says it is committed to addressing the everyday struggles of Ugandans and plans to field candidates from the village level to the presidency, with the ambitious goal of challenging President Museveni’s four-decade rule. With Mayanja at the helm, the NPP is positioning itself as the voice of the underrepresented the rural poor, the working class, and the voiceless majority.
“The voice of the ordinary Ugandan has been ignored for too long,” said one party insider. “Stecia represents a new kind of leadership, grounded, relatable, and unapologetically for the people.”
Her appointment also places her among a growing list of entertainers who are making the leap from showbiz to statecraft a trend that reflects both disillusionment with traditional politicians and a yearning for new voices in national leadership.
As the country edges closer to a high-stakes general election, Stecia Mayanja’s next chapter is no longer just a performance, it’s a political campaign with real consequences. And whether she succeeds or not, one thing is clear: she’s no longer just singing to the crowd, she’s asking for their vote.
WATCH: Musician Stecia Mayanja has been announced as the president of the National Peasants Party (NPP), as the party unveils its leadership plan for the 2026 General Election #MonitorUpdates
Although founded in 2004 by Hajj Elias Wamala Miyagi and others, the party has remained… pic.twitter.com/GUmZa9UnWq
— Daily Monitor (@DailyMonitor) July 11, 2025
WATCH: Musician Stecia Mayanja, new president of the National Peasants Party (NPP), has announced her intention to contest for Kampala Woman MP in the 2026 General Election. The seat is currently held by NUP’s Shamim Malende. Here are her plans of elected ?#MonitorUpdates
?:… pic.twitter.com/pYIhcoj1nv— Daily Monitor (@DailyMonitor) July 11, 2025
Don’t want to miss out on any story? For updates on all Sqoop stories, follow this link on Telegram: https://t.me/Sqoop
