KAMPALA, UGANDA – The 2026 Parliamentary elections have marked a seismic shift in Uganda’s political landscape, delivering stunning defeats to a slate of senior cabinet ministers, veteran legislators, and prominent opposition figures.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The election results show voters clearly demanded change, tossing out powerful incumbents and reshaping the political landscape across the country.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM), while consolidating power in many areas, was not immune, as several of its own senior members fell to challengers from within and outside the party.
Among the cabinet casualties, a striking number of President Museveni’s ministers lost their parliamentary seats, a prerequisite for their posts, and will not return to the 12th Parliament.
I). Betty Amongi, the high-profile Minister of Gender, Labour and Social Development, was unseated in Lira City by none other than the Minister of Health, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng, in an NRM-versus-NRM showdown.
II). Henry Okello Oryem, State Minister for Foreign Affairs (International Affairs), lost Chua County in Kitgum District to John Clavin Okoya, with a decisive margin of 14,688 to 12,297 votes.
III). David Bahati, the long-serving State Minister for Trade and a key NRM figure in Kigezi, was defeated in Ndorwa West County by Eliab Naturinda Mporera.
IV). Peter Lokeris, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, was ousted from Chekwii East County by Stephen Ilukol.
Other ministerial losses include State Minister for Primary Education Joyce Moriku Kaducu (Moyo District Woman MP), State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Florence Nambozo Wamala (Sironko District Woman MP), and Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua (Ajuri County).
Opposition stalwarts were also toppled, as the wave of change swept through their ranks and claimed several of their most recognizable and vocal MPs.
I). Mathias Mpuuga, the former Leader of the Opposition and Nyendo–Mukungwe MP, lost his seat to Gyaviira Sebina Lubowa of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
II). Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda (Kira Municipality) and Medard Lubega Sseggona (Busiro East), both prominent NUP figures, were defeated.
III). Veteran FDC legislators Geoffrey Ekanya (Tororo North) and Francis Mwijukye (Buhweju) also lost their seats.
IV). Abdu Katuntu, the esteemed shadow attorney general and MP for Bugweri County, was defeated by Haji Wandera Sadala.
V). Asuman Basalirwa, the sole representative of the Justice Forum (JEEMA) in Parliament, lost the Bugiri Municipality seat.
The Kigezi Upheaval
The results from the Kigezi sub-region exemplified the trend, where a near-total clearance of incumbents occurred. At least nine sitting MPs from the region were voted out.
The latest casualties were Naboth Namanya (Rubabo County, Rukungiri) of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) and Midias Natukunda Kaharata (Rukungiri District Woman MP).
They joined a list of fallen Kigezi giants including Catherine Ndamira, Wilfred Niwagaba, Dr. Nicholas Kamara, and Parliamentary Commissioner Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira.
The election has been labeled one of the most consequential in recent history, with analysts declaring the electorate delivered a powerful message that performance and local connection now trump title and longevity.
The losses within the opposition, particularly of figures like Mpuuga and Ssemujju, suggest internal party dynamics and voter expectations are evolving rapidly, posing new challenges for the alternative political forces.
The electorate’s clear mandate for renewal and accountability now sets the stage for the 12th Parliament, where a wave of new members and an incoming cabinet must translate that demand into action.
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