Top Row: Ministers who retained the NRM party flag. Middle Row: New faces eyeing Parliament in the 2026 General Elections. Bottom Row: Ministers and incumbents who lost in the NRM Primaries.
Kampala, Uganda: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s parliamentary primaries held yesterday have ushered in sweeping changes across Uganda’s political landscape, with several of President Museveni’s senior ministers and long-standing MPs suffering heavy defeats.
The hotly contested elections, held on Thursday, July 17, were marked by intense competition, scattered violence, arrests, and widespread allegations of vote-rigging. Yet the results point clearly to a shifting political tide inside Uganda’s ruling party, with several long-serving MPs and ministers kicked out by voters hungry for change.
Among the biggest casualties were State Minister for Lands Persis Namuganza, Minister for Disaster Preparedness Musa Ecweru, Minister for Finance David Bahati, Minister for Karamoja Peter Lokeris, and Minister for Presidency Jennifer Namuyangu — all of whom lost to little-known challengers.
Also sent packing was Theodore Ssekikubo in Lwemiyaga County, whose two-decade parliamentary reign was ended by Brig Gen (Rtd) Emmanuel Rwashande.
Conversely, some senior figures survived the purge. Vice President Jessica Alupo, First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, Internal Affairs Minister Gen Kahinda Otafiire, Security Minister Jim Muhwezi, and State Minister Phiona Nyamutoro comfortably sailed through to secure the party flag for the 2026 general elections.
Emerging from the contests were a number of youthful, first-time candidates such as Princess Diana Abwooli in Hoima City, Jonah Wamani Byakutaga in Hoima East, and Mastula Namatovu in Kamuli Municipality, many of whom defeated entrenched incumbents.
Biggest Winners: Ministers & NRM Loyalists Retain Seat
The following top-ranking government officials and ruling party loyalists comfortably secured victories to fly the party flag in the 2026 elections:
Jessica Alupo — Katakwi Woman MP
Anita Annet Among — Bukedea Woman MP
Rebecca Kadaga — Kamuli Woman MP
Matia Kasaija — Buyanja County
Robinah Nabbanja — Kakumiro Woman MP
Jim Muhwezi — Rujumbura County
Kahinda Otafiire — Ruhinda County
Bright Rwamirama — Isingiro North
Dr Charles Ayume — Koboko Municipality
Beatrice Anywar — Kitgum Municipality
Phiona Nyamutoro — Nebbi District Woman MP
Oboth Oboth Jacob — West Budama Central
Sam Engola — Erute South
Fredrick Ruhindi — Nakawa East
Shyaka Stephen Gashaija — Entebbe Municipality
Doreen Keita Kagabi — Makindye West
Sarah Babirye Kityo — Bukoto East
Annet Katusiime Mugisha — Bushenyi Woman MP
Susan Nakawuki Nsambu — Mawokota South
Thomas Tayebwa — Ruhinda North
Dr Jane Ruth Aceng — Lira City Woman MP
Judith Nabakooba — Mityana Woman MP
Vincent Ssempijja — Kalungu East
Minsa Kabanda — Kampala Central
Moses Magogo — Budiope East
Milly Babalanda — Budiope West
Rising Figures & New Faces
Jonah Wamani Byakutaga — Hoima East
Princess Diana Abwooli — Hoima City Woman MP
Beatrice Wembabazi (Tr Mummy) — Hoima Woman MP
Mastula Namatovu — Kamuli Municipality
Anita Flavia Omondi — Bugabula North
Paul Kintu Bamusibule — Buzaaya
Emmanuel Katoko — Bukono
Christopher Talemwa — Kyaddondo East
Emmanuel Kiyimba — Bukoto Mid-West
Dedan Mubangizi — Buwekula South
Daniel Kananura — Kira Municipality
Ojasi Swaibu — Iganga Municipality
Godfrey Bavekuno Mafumu Kyeswa — Butambala County
Noor Nakato — Butambala Woman MP
Margret Naziwa Rujumba — Kagadi Woman MP
Biggest Losers: Senior Ministers, Incumbents, and Political Heavyweights
Persis Namuganza — Bukono (lost to Emmanuel Katoko)
David Bahati — Ndorwa West (lost to Eriab Naturinda)
Musa Ecweru — Amuria County (lost to Samuel Ediau)
Obiga Kania — Terego County
Joyce Moriku Kaducu — Moyo Woman MP
Jennifer Namuyangu — Kibuku Woman MP (lost to Sylvia Katooko Damba)
Peter Lokeris — Chekwii East (lost to Stephenson Lokoru)
Esther Mbayo — Luuka Woman MP (lost to Annet Nabirye)
Theodore Ssekikubo — Lwemiyaga (lost to Brig Gen (Rtd) Rwashande)
Martin Muzaale — Buzaaya (lost to Paul Kintu Bamusibule)
Baroda Kayanga Watongola — Kamuli Municipality (lost to Mastula Namatovu)
Jane Bainomugisha — Ibanda Woman MP (lost to Jovrine Kaliisa)
Kyooma Xavier Akamparira — Ibanda North (lost to Maj. Guma)
Sylvia Nalumaga (Deputy Mayor) — Hoima City Woman MP (lost to Princess Diana)
Dr Joseph Ruyonga — Hoima West (lost to Donald Bategeka)
Harriet Businge — Hoima Woman MP (lost to Beatrice Wembabazi)
Hussein Hudu — Mbale Northern City Division (lost to Umar Nangoli)
Fred Kalema Pax — Bukoto East (lost to Sarah Babirye Kityo)
Caroline Kamusime — Rukiga Woman MP (lost to Sylvia Alinaitwe Mwanaki)
Nathan Igeme Nabeta — Jinja South East (lost, contesting outcome)
Isaac Ssejjoba — Bukoto Mid-West (lost to Emmanuel Kiyimba)
The NRM primaries reflected a clear hunger for political renewal within the ruling party. Voters in multiple districts rejected aging politicians in favor of younger, more vibrant candidates, many of whom have ties to grassroots mobilization or youth movements within the party.
In several regions, the contests were not only generational but also gendered, with several women successfully defending their positions or breaking new ground as first-time winners.
What Next?
With the primaries concluded, attention now turns to preparations for the 2026 elections as both winners and losers recalibrate their political futures. Analysts say the results reflect a generational shift within the NRM and a growing demand for accountability and grassroots-driven leadership.
