ANKOLE, Uganda – More than two dozen incumbent Members of Parliament from Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party lost their bids for re-election in last Thursday’s primaries across the 13 districts of the Ankole Sub-region. The districts include Mbarara, Isingiro, Rwampara, Ibanda, Kazo, Kiruhura, Ntungamo, Bushenyi, Buhweju, Mitooma, Sheema, Rubirizi and Mbarara City.
In Rubirizi, Woman MP Grace Kesande Bataringaya placed a distant third with 8,515 votes. Jeniva Arinaitwe secured the party flag with 27,653 votes. In Bunyaruguru County, Cadet Benjamin Buturo won with 18,020 votes, defeating incumbent John Twesigye Ntamuhiira, who polled 9,971 votes.
Mitooma District Woman MP Agasha Juliet Bashisha lost after polling 22,134 votes to Rebecca Kyarampe, who won with 39,078 votes. Ruhinda South MP Donozio Kahonda came second with 7,304 votes, trailing Arthur Atuhweriire Kazoora, who won with 9,433 votes.
Sheema District Woman MP Rosemary Nyakikongoro was defeated by Katusiime Adrine, who garnered 48,915 votes to Nyakikongoro’s 19,628. Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu reclaimed the Sheema South seat, polling 16,442 votes against Prof. Elijah Mushemeza’s 11,616 votes. Dr. Elioda Tumwesigye made a comeback, switching constituencies to Sheema North and defeating Naume Kibaju with 13,369 votes to her 3,282.
In Buhweju West, incumbent Ephraim Biraro polled 10,794 votes, losing to Dr. JB Kariisa, who received 18,217 votes. Oliver Koyekyenga, the incumbent Buhweju District Woman MP, polled 12,956 votes, while Namara Annet Oyes Byamukama secured the party flag with 30,866 votes.
Mbarara District Woman MP Margret Ayebare Rwebyambu’s 19,154 votes were insufficient against Loydah Twinomujuni Muhimbura’s 34,469 votes. Mbarara City Woman MP Ritah Bwahika’s 11,784 votes were surpassed by Charity Kibaju, who won with 13,421 votes. Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari suffered a significant defeat, polling 2,975 votes to Christopher Bakashaba’s 5,194.
Jovrine Kaliisa Kyomukama, Deputy National Coordinator for the Parish Development Model (PDM), won the Ibanda District Woman MP seat with 61,030 votes, defeating incumbent Jane Bainomugisha, who polled 22,960. Alex Byarugaba Bakunda’s 20-year parliamentary tenure ended after he lost the NRM flag to new entrant Assencio Maari Mujuni, who polled 21,254 votes to Bakunda’s 13,807.
