Uganda's parliament takes shape, new faces rise to top

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High-profile incumbents were unseated by the underdogs who defied expectations. The results have sent shockwaves through the nation’s corridors of power signaling a new chapter in Uganda’s legislative arena. Vision Reporters covered the elections as they happened.

MBARARA MBARARA WOMAN MP

A newcomer, National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Loyda Kyarikunda Twinomujuni, was declared the winner for the Mbarara district Woman MP position after polling 31,364 votes, followed by Margaret Rwebyambu (independent, incumbent) with 16,021 votes, Julia Desire Barugahare (independent) with 607 votes and Hope Maurishia (independent) with 367 votes.

Loyda Kyarikunda Twinomujuni (right), the winner of Mbarara district woman MP race, receiving a declaration form from Mbarara district returning officer William Twinamatsiko. (File)

KASHARI SOUTH

The National Resistance Movement candidates have been declared winners of the parliamentary elections in the constituencies of Mbarara district.

William Twinamatsiko, the Mbarara district returning officer, declared Capt. JB Tumusiime Bamuturaki (NRM) as the winner of Kashari South county after polling a total of 14,698 votes.

Bamuturaki defeated the closest opponent, Col. Jackson Kakuru (independent), who got 10,080 votes. Harriet Namara Rwamashongye (independent) got 1,063 votes while Edmond Mwesigwa (independent) polled 329 votes.

KASHARI NORTH

Patrick Musinguzi (NRM) was announced as the winner with 1,1904 votes, Basil Bataringana (independent) got 10,308 votes, and Asaph Muume (independent) got 92 votes.

Bamuturaki hailed his supporters for backing him, saying he respected the NRM principles when he lost the NRM primaries in 2020 and rallied behind the flag-bearer.

Twimanamatsiko hailed the electoral commission for conducting a peaceful election. Musinguzi attributed his victory to the power of God and people’s support.

KATAKWI

USUK COUNTY MP

Richard Ongorok, the NRM flag-bearer, was declared the winner by Usuk county returning officer Stephen Makubuya in Katakwi district. Ongorok garnered 7,873 votes against his closest rival, Bosco Okiror, the incumbent, with 7,623 votes, winning the highly contested seat.

Charles Okideny got 572, Alex Epel garnered 42, and Simon Peter Ogulo got 16. A total of votes 16,126 were cast, while 344 were invalid.

TOROMA COUNTY

Solomon Ossiya Alemu of NRM was declared the winner with 10,044, followed by Stephen Okello 5, 778, Walter Okiring (independent) got 4,895 votes, while Ben Okiror got 788.

PALLISA KIBALE COUNTY

The Pallisa returning officer, Mary Claret Ekima, declared Constantine Okwii (NRM) Kibale county MP-elect after getting 8,663 votes against Richard Osek Oriebo, the incumbent, who polled 4,488 votes. John Bosco Otulem, another independent, raked in 434.

AGULE COUNTY

Josephine Ibaseret (NRM) won the race after polling 9,841 votes, followed by Herbert Okello, who got 5,462. David Ochwa, the incumbent, got 4,598; Adam Obeke, 701; Godwin Isaac Aisu (Democratic Party), 16; Andrew Omagor Erokode (FDC) 144, and Amos Esia got 134. Anthony Ojangole, the National Unity Platform candidate who pulled out in favour of NRM, got 10 votes.

FORT PORTAL CITY

FORT PORTAL CENTRAL

of NRM and the incumbent suffered a defeat to his independent rival in yesterday’s polls, putting an end to his 15-year tenure as Fort Portal MP. Ruhunda was beaten by Ronald Muhenda (independent), who garnered 1,0831 votes against Ruhunda’s 7,461.

FORT PORTAL NORTH DIVISION

Margaret Muhanga, the State Minister of Health in Charge of Primary Healthcare, has retained her seat as the MP for Fort Portal North division after defeating her rival with 10,333 votes against Robert Kyaligonza, who got 5493 votes.

FORT PORTAL CITY WOMAN MP

Irene Linda (NRM) won the race with 19,324 votes, followed by Sylivia Rwabwogo (independent) with 10,737 votes, Judith Mukiidi (independent) with 2,995 votes and Jackline Atuhaire with 1,791 votes, as Marjorie Kansiime (Independent) trailed with 494 votes.

KABAROLE WOMAN MP

Sarah Kabarokole (NRM) won the race with 4,038; Gladys Kobusinge (NUP) got 3,543, and Edith Kijumba got 11,237 votes. The incumbent and the state minister for local government, Victoria Rusoke, did not come back after losing in the NRM primaries.

MANAFWA WOMAN MP

Rose Mutonyi (independent) was declared after getting 28, 308 votes, followed by Annet Musibikha (NRM) 23,057 votes, Irene Mukimba (independent), 659. Irene Mutonyi of FDC, 704, Elizabeth Nasimo Kakai (independent) got 458. The seat was held by the former minister of Karamoja affairs, Dr Gorretti Kitutu, who did not return after losing the NRM primaries.

BUBULO WEST

Chris Matembu (independent) won the race with 1,799 votes after the incumbent, Christopher Welikkhe, did not contest again. His closest challenger, Ronnie Walukhu (NRM) got 15,307 votes; Eric Mabonga (independent) bagged 271 and Andrew Pongo 432 votes.

BUTIRU COUNTY

Godfrey Matembu of NRM and the incumbent got 10,850 votes, followed by Gabriel Roger Bwayo (independent), who got 4,236 votes and Kafa Mafumo (independent), 3,726.

KANUNGU DISTRICT KINKIZI EAST

Chris Baryomunsi (NRM incumbent) scored 2,830; Sam Kajojo got 2,739; Karungi Ruth: 7,031 votes; Akampurira Akaruma: 90 votes; Tabaruka Allans: 67 votes; Aggrey Naturinda: 56 votes; Byamukama Alex: 56 votes (0.12%), and invalid votes are 737, which is 1.56%, and total votes are 46,371.

KINKIZI WEST

James Kaberuka Nyiringiyimana (NRM incumbent) got 22,428, Ndunguse John Ngaruye (independent) 18411 (-32.90%), Safari Christopher (independent) 13476, Turyatunga Stephen Ikamukuba (independent) 1,245, Atuhaire Brian (FDC) 273 and Rushokora Victor PFF 125 votes.

KANUNGU WOMAN MP

Patience Tinshaba Nkunda was independent, but she was incumbent. In 41,625, Namara Betty Mutabazi (NRM) got 38,249 votes; Majambere Esther (independent) got 20,241, and Akandinda Viadda (NUP) got 571.

MOYO

Benedetta Chandia Kodili (NRM) won the race against the State Minister of Primary Education, Dr Joyce Moriku Kaducu (independent). Kodili obtained 15,398 votes, while Kaducu got 14,488 votes.

MOYO WEST COUNTY

Tom Aleru Azaa (NRM) won the elections with 17,170 votes, followed by Dr Charles Lagu (independent) with 11,080 votes. Gilbert Anyama (independent) obtained 931 votes, while Lillian Awio Tmaiya (DF) got 551 votes.

OBONGI DISTRICT OBONGI CONSTITUENCY

The returning officer, Obongi Electoral Commission, declared Hassan Caps Fungaro (FDC) as the Obongi county MP with 8,503 votes, beating incumbent Dr George Didi Bhoka (NRM), who got 7,607 votes. For Obongi Woman MP, Harriet Joyo (independent) won the elections with 9,403 votes, while incumbent Maneno Zumura (NRM) obtained 6,790 votes.

OBONGI

The incumbent woman MP and the NRM flag-bearer, Zumura Maneno, lost to Harriet Joyo, an independent candidate, with a difference of 2,613 votes. Joyo obtained 9,403 while Maneno garnered 6,790 votes. Hassan Fungaro, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party flag bearer, has been declared the winner of the Obongi Constituency MP post by the Obongi district returning officer, Innocent Akena, after obtaining 8,503 votes. George Bhoka, the incumbent, got 7,607.

ARUA

In Arua Central Division, Khemis Mzaid (FDC) won the elections with 6,966 votes, followed by Jackson Lee Buti Atima (NRM) with 5,578 votes. Ronald Debo (independent) got 3,732 votes, Jackson Obindu (NUP) 642 votes, Kassiano Wadri Ezati (ANT) 625 votes and Haddad Salim (independent) got 248 votes.

ARUA DISTRICT

Newcomer Charity Kevin Lenia (NRM) emerged victorious with 20,114 votes, followed by the former finance minister Gabriel Aridru Ajedra (independent) with 11,691 votes. Yovan Adriko (independent) obtained 2,898 votes, Emmanuel Adrandu (independent) 1,865 votes, Madira Kefa (independent) 690 votes and John Anguyo (FDC) 355 votes.

KOBOKO

KOBOKO MUNICIPALITY

The incumbent, Dr Charles Ayume (NRM), emerged victorious with 9,839 votes, beating Duuki Bran Apito (NUP), who obtained 2,362 votes.

KOBOKO WOMAN MP

Sherifa Aate Taban Amin (independent) won the elections with 31,105 votes, followed by Sauda Ropani (NRM), who got 25,938 votes. Beatrice Levi Omvua (independent) obtained 660 votes, while Hellen Achan Amule (PFF) got 327 votes.

KOBOKO NORTH

Dr Musa Noah (NRM) won the elections with 7,720 votes, followed by Elias Elly Asiku Elly Elias (independent) with 7,602 votes. In the third position was Yassin Adnan Ayume (NUP) with 242 votes.

KAPELEBYONG

Francis Akorikin (NRM) unseats the incumbent Anthony Esenu after getting 14,670 votes. Julius Ochen (NUP), who became second with 6,583 votes, Joseph Arocha (independent) got 3,218 votes, Celestine Alou (FDC) 547 votes, Thomas Aquinas Oonyu (UPC) 362 votes and Yona Lawrence Onyoin (independent) 186 votes.

WOMAN MP

The incumbent Jacinta Atuto (NRM) won with a landslide victory after getting 18,446 votes, beating her rival Florence Adupo (independent), who obtained 8,775 votes.

NGORA KAPIR COUNTY

Dr Isamat Abraham (NRM) maintained his seat after garnering 7,046 votes, followed by Julius Engeku (IND) with 6,271 votes.

WOMAN MP NGORA

Josephine Pedun (NRM), who joined the race as a new entrant for Ngora district Woman MP, won the elections after beating Stella Apolot Isodo (FDC) to the seat. Pedun obtained 17,010 votes, Isodo 11,334 votes, Christine Abeja (DF) 12,152 votes and Rhoda Amuge (NUP) 437 votes.

NGORA COUNTY

Juliet Achayo Lodou (NRM) returned to Parliament after garnering 15,077 votes. She was followed by David Abala (independent), who got 6,424 votes.

BUKEDEA

In Bukedea district, David Becham Okweere (NRM) has been duly announced the winner for the seat of directly elected member of Parliament, defeating incumbent Bosco Ikojo (independent) in the hotly contested parliamentary seat. While announcing the final results, the district returning officer, Joel Mugenyi, declared Okweere the winner after scoring 68,103 votes. Ikojo obtained 10,458 votes, Rose Akol Okulu 2,150 votes, John Micheal Odeke 402 votes, and Silas Opejo 308 votes.

MBALE

In Bugokho South county, George Wokuri (NRM) emerged victorious with 16,610 votes, followed by Robert Wandwasi (independent) with 7,527 votes.

KUMI

In Kumi district, the energy state minister, Sidronious Opolot Okaasai (NRM), retained his seat for Kumi county, and Silas Aogon (independent) retained the Kumi municipality seat after emerging victorious in the just-concluded general elections. For the Woman MP seat, Christine Apolot, formerly NRM and now independent, has bounced back as Woman MP.

BUDUDA

Agnes Shiuma (NRM) has won the Bududa district Woman MP seat, defeating former Karamoja affairs state minister Agnes Nandutu (independent). Shiuma got 20,072 votes, Nandutu 18,921 votes, Silvia Sambula (IND) 5,751 votes, Agnes Nabutuwa (IND) 2,005 votes, Esther Lois Wetsetse (FDC) 1,488 votes and Dinah Kakai Mukhobe (independent) 1,424. In Lutseshe county, Bududa, Isaac Modoi (NRM) won the elections with 11,086 and his rival Tofa Bikala Malaka with 126 votes.

HOIMA BUGAHYA COUNTY

The Electoral Commission declared Pius Wakabi (NRM) as the winner of the elections with 30,923 votes, defeating rivals Hebert Kato (ANT), who obtained 3,373 votes and Allan Tugume, who got 6,091 votes.

KIGOROBYA COUNTY

Dr Gerald Kasigwa (NRM) was also declared the winner with 12,175 votes, defeating his rival, former public service state minister and incumbent David Karubanga (independent), who got 8,793 votes.

HOIMA DISTRICT WOMAN

Beatrice Wembabazi (NRM) was declared the winner with 35,511 votes, followed by Harriet Businge Mugenyi with 14,725 votes. Suzan Asiimwe (independent) polled 5,579 votes, while Vena Mulindwa (NUP) got 3,381 votes.

RUKUNGIRI

Rukungiri Municipality Henry Tumukunde (NRM) won the elections with 7,119 votes. Ingrid Turinawe (PFF) got 6,268.

RUJUMBURA COUNTY

Jim Muhwezi (NRM) emerged as the winner with 25,007 votes, followed by Fred Turyamuhweza (PFF) with 23,307 votes and Hillary Tumuhimbise (NUP) with 252 votes.

Compiled by Emmanuel Alomu, Dorren Taisa, Lawrence Okwakol, Jonan Tusingwire, Abdukarim Sssengengo, Leonard Mukooli, Caleb Bahikaho, Simon Ssekidde, Rwambuka Mugisha, Adam Gule, Ibrahim Ruhweza, Micheal Odeng, Edward Anyoli, Nelson Ahimbisibwe, Bruno Mugizi, Wilson Asiimwe and Godfrey Ojore