KAMPALA, Uganda — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has successfully concluded its parliamentary primaries across various constituencies, solidifying its slate of flag bearers who will represent the party in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
Among the most keenly observed races were those in Bushenyi District, where Katusiime Annet Mugisha and Engineer Basaija Idi emerged victorious with commanding leads.
In the contest for Bushenyi District Woman Member of Parliament (MP), Katusiime Annet Mugisha secured the NRM flag with an impressive 49,604 votes, representing 60.6% of the total ballots cast. Her primary challenger, Kemigisha Vivian, garnered 32,279 votes (39.4%), according to official results released by the NRM District Electoral Commission Registrar.
The Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality race saw Engineer Basaija Idi clinch a decisive victory, polling 13,758 votes, or 73.3%. His closest competitor, Maruku Erasmusha, managed 4,064 votes (21.6%), while Kamukama David and Ndanyara Nicholas Mbabazi trailed with 1,251 and 458 votes, respectively.
Across other constituencies, incumbent MP Micheal Mawanda Maranga of Igara East successfully fended off five contenders to retain the party flag, securing 10,669 votes (39%). His closest competitor, Herbert Nimwesiga, polled 6,658 votes (24.2%). Other contenders included Benon Rukundo Mayombo (4,102), Clayeford Kurenzi (3,789), Gracias Atwine (1,900), and Fabian Gakyalo (401).
In Sheema North, former Minister Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye secured 13,369 votes (57.45%) to maintain his hold on the constituency, while in Sheema Municipality, Dickson Kateshumbwa won the NRM flag. Adrine Mwebesa emerged as the party’s Woman MP candidate for Sheema District.
Hon. Frank K. Tumwebaze was declared the NRM flag bearer for Kibale East Constituency, Kamwenge District, after winning the party primaries with a substantial 43,742 votes (89.28%), based on official results released on July 17, 2025, by the NRM Electoral Commission.
Jacob Oboth Oboth secured a significant victory in the NRM party primaries for West Budama Central, polling 29,317 votes. His closest challengers, Odoi Benard and Owino John, received 3,373 and 1,466 votes, respectively.
In Kitgum Municipality, State Minister for Water and Environment Beatrice Atim Anywar clinched the NRM flag with 3,730 votes, defeating Henry Kissinger Oryem (363 votes) and George William Otim (29 votes).
Additionally, Amelia Kyambadde, Senior Presidential Advisor on Industry, was declared the winner of the NRM parliamentary race for Mawokota County North, as confirmed by Mpigi District NRM Registrar Francis Bbuye.
Martin Ojara Mapenduzi was on Thursday evening declared the winner of the hotly contested Bardege-Layibi Division NRM parliamentary primaries.
He defeated singer-turned-politician Bosmic Joyce Otim in a race marred with tension and allegations of electoral malpractice. David Nyeko, the NRM election officer, announced the results at around 8:30 p.m. at the party’s division offices under heavy security presence from both the police and the army.
Mapenduzi polled 4,102 votes (66.9 per cent), defeating Otim, who garnered 1,900 votes (30.9 per cent). Other candidates Denis Okello Oweka polled 56 votes, Robinson Oryema Ogeri 49 votes, while pastor Robert Roy Ola (the 2021 flag bearer) polled 24 votes.
In Pece-Laroo Division, Tony Kitara, a seasoned lawyer, emerged victorious with 4,717 votes, defeating his only opponent, Grace Atim, who scored 1,460 votes.
For the Gulu City Woman MP seat, Halima Joyce Reeni, current speaker of the Gulu City Council, was declared the party’s flag bearer after garnering 5,801 votes (51.5 per cent). She narrowly beat Jolly Laker Andruvule Okot, who got 5,434 votes (47 per cent), while Concy Lagum trailed with 182 votes (1.5 per cent).
Laker has since contested the results, citing election irregularities. While the Pece-Laroo polls proceeded peacefully, the chaotic scenes in Bardege-Layibi highlighted tensions that have gripped the NRM’s internal races in urban areas.
Strong turnout in Hoima and Nebbi Cities
In Hoima City, Hon. Princess Diana dominated the Woman MP primary, polling 9,653 votes (67.7%) against Sylvia Nalumaga (2,811) and Kabasindi Violet (1,774). Hoima West saw incumbent MP Donald Bakire Bategeka secure a narrow victory with 4,777 votes (44.4%), just edging out Dr. Joseph Ruyonga (4,515) and Tumusiime Ronald (1,451).
In Hoima East, Jonah Wamani Byakutaaga secured the flag with 3,483 votes (68.8%), with his closest challenger, Reagan, polling 648. Nasiif received 606 votes, and Sunny garnered 321.
In Nebbi Municipality, Hashim Suleiman emerged as the winner. In a statement following his win, he expressed gratitude to voters for their trust and affirmed his pride in delivering on past promises, citing efforts in lobbying for road improvements. Phionah Nyamutoro, the State Minister for Minerals, won the Woman MP primary for Nebbi District.
New faces and prominent veterans secure seats
The Entebbe Municipality NRM flag was claimed by Steven Shyaka Gashaija, who polled 4,175 votes, significantly outpacing Scholastica Najjemba Baguma (469) and Jovia Namaara (192).
Former State Minister for Housing Sam Engola reclaimed the flag for Erute South, while Deputy Attorney General Jackson Kafuuzi retained his position as the party’s candidate for Kyaka South in Kyegegwa District.
In Kibaale, Finance Minister Matia Kasaija triumphed in Buyanja County.
Other notable winners across the primaries include:
- Anita Among – Bukedea Woman MP (unopposed)
- Thomas Tayebwa – Ruhinda North, Mitooma
- Robinah Nabbanja – Kakumiro Woman MP
- Gen. Henry Tumukunde – Rukungiri Municipality
- Kahinda Otafiire – Ruhinda County
- Frank Tumwebaze – Kibale East
- Jessica Alupo – Katakwi Woman MP (also Vice President)
- Rebecca Kadaga – Kamuli Woman MP
- Jim Muhwezi – Rujumbura County
- Gen. Moses Ali – Adjumani West
In the Kampala Metropolitan area, Faridah Nambi won the NRM flag for Kawempe North. Frederick Ruhindi and Herbert Anderson Burora secured the flags for Nakawa East and West respectively, with Burora winning with 51% of the vote.
Eastern Uganda saw significant wins for Hon. Jacqueline Amongin (Ngora District Woman MP), Hon. Christine Apolot (Kumi District), and Hon. Ikojo John Bosco (Bukedea County).
Looking ahead to 2026 general elections
With the parliamentary primaries now concluded, the NRM’s newly endorsed flag bearers face the critical task of consolidating their support base ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The party leadership commended the primaries as “largely peaceful and transparent,” though reports of disputes and lower turnout were noted in a few localized hotspots, particularly within urban centers.
As Uganda moves closer to the general election, political analysts suggest that the NRM’s ability to effectively balance the ascendance of new youth voices with the enduring influence of veteran incumbents will be a pivotal factor in its overall performance, especially in swing constituencies and urban municipalities.
NRM Primaries: Ministers and loyalists dominate, securing 2026 party flags
The following prominent figures have clinched their respective party flags, demonstrating strong voter confidence in their continued leadership:
- 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 and 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 National Resistance Movement (NRM) party parliamentary primaries have unveiled a discernible appetite for political renewal within the ruling party’s ranks.
Across numerous districts, voters opted to bypass long-serving politicians in favor of younger, more dynamic candidates. Many of these emerging figures boast strong ties to grassroots mobilization efforts or active involvement in youth movements within the party.
Furthermore, in several regions, the electoral contests transcended a mere generational divide, showcasing a distinct gendered dimension.
A notable number of women successfully defended their incumbent positions, while others broke new ground as first-time winners, signaling a growing influence of female leadership within the party’s electoral landscape.
