At least 16 sitting members of parliament in Uganda’s Ankole sub-region were voted out in last Thursday’s general elections, pointing to a significant change in voter preferences across the region.
The defeats were recorded across 11 of the 13 districts in Ankole, including Mbarara City. Only Kazo and Kiruhura districts did not register losses among incumbent MPs, excluding those who had already been eliminated during the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries.
Results from several constituencies showed tight races, while others reflected decisive losses for long-serving legislators, with the NRM and independent candidates emerging as the main beneficiaries.
In Ntungamo Municipality, incumbent Yonah Musinguzi was defeated by Gerald Karuhanga, who secured 3,967 votes against Musinguzi’s 2,824. In Mbarara City North, Robert Rukaari lost to NRM’s Christopher Bakashaba, who polled 5,478 votes compared with Rukaari’s 4,802.
The Mbarara District Woman MP race saw Ritah Atukwasa Bwahika narrowly lose to NRM’s Charity Kibaaju, while in Sheema South, Prof Elijah Dickens Mushemeza was defeated by former minister Prof Ephraim Kamuntu.
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In Mitooma District, Capt (Rtd) Donozio Kahonda lost the Ruhinda South seat to NRM’s Arthur Kazoora, while Juliet Agasha Bashiisha, who contested as an independent after failing to secure the NRM ticket, was defeated by Rebecca Kyarampe in the Woman MP race.
Other notable results include Rubirizi’s Katerera County, where incumbent Muhammad Katoto lost to independent candidate Boaz Atwijukire, and Ibanda North, where David Kyooma Xavier Akampurira was defeated by NRM’s David Guma Gumisiriza.
In Buhweju County, opposition PFF’s Francis Mwijukye lost to NRM’s Zadok Mutekanga, while Ephraim Biraaro was unseated in Buhweju West by John Bosco Kariisa. In Isingiro West, Reuben Arinaitwe was defeated by Anthony Tumwesigye.
The Bukanga North (Isingiro Woman MP) race saw Clare Mugumya suffer a heavy defeat to NRM’s Nathan Byanyima. In Rwampara East, former MP Charles Ngabirano reclaimed the seat from Julius Tusiime.
Further losses for incumbents were recorded in Kashari North, where Basil Bataringaya was defeated by Patrick Musinguzi. In Mbarara District’s Woman MP contest, NRM’s Lydah Kyarikunda won decisively against Margret Ayebare Rwebyambu.
Political analysts say the high number of incumbent losses points to growing voter dissatisfaction and a demand for change in parliamentary representation across Ankole.
The overall results suggest a reshaping of the region’s political landscape, with the ruling NRM consolidating ground alongside a smaller number of successful independent candidates.
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