KAMPALA, Uganda — Voters across Uganda delivered a sweeping verdict in the Jan. 15 parliamentary elections, ousting several cabinet ministers and long-term incumbents in a race defined by a demand for new leadership and shifting party loyalties.
The results, announced by the Electoral Commission on Jan. 16, 2026, showed a significant reshuffling of the parliamentary map. While the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) consolidated power in regions like Teso and Hoima, it suffered high-profile losses in other districts, including Serere, Kitgum and Kayunga.
Cabinet Ministers Defeated
The election was particularly bruising for members of President Yoweri Museveni’s cabinet. In Serere, State Minister for Fisheries Hellen Adoa lost the Woman MP seat to independent candidate Esther Lucy Acom. In Bududa, former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu was unseated by NRM’s Agnes Shiuma, who polled 20,072 votes against Nandutu’s 18,921.
Other ministerial losses included:
- Education: Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu, State Minister for Primary Education, lost her Moyo seat to NRM’s Benedetta Chandia Kodili (15,398 to 14,488 votes).
- International Relations: Henry Okello Oryem was defeated in Chua East by independent John Clavin Okoya, 14,688 to 12,297 votes.
- Environment: Beatrice Atim Anywar lost the Kitgum Municipality seat to FDC’s Dennis Onekalit Amere.
- Karamoja Affairs: Peter Lokeris was defeated by Stephen Ilukol in Chekwii East.
- Lands: In Kayunga, former minister Ida Nantaba lost to Harriet Nalweende of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
In a rare clash between sitting ministers, Health Minister Jane Aceng (NRM) defeated Gender Minister Betty Amongi (UPC) for the Lira City Woman MP seat. In Kampala Central, Minister Minsa Kabanda retained her position, defeating NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya with 22,332 votes to 18,242.
Heavyweights and Veterans Fall
The desire for change extended to veteran legislators. In Fort Portal, Alex Ruhunda (NRM) lost his seat after 15 years to independent Ronald Muhenda, who secured 10,831 votes. In Bugweri, veteran opposition figure Abdu Katuntu lost to Haji Wandera Sadala.
In Busiro East, independent candidate Emmanuel Magoola secured a landslide victory with 35,361 votes, unseating incumbent Medard Ssegona, who finished third with 4,503 votes. NRM’s Abdul Kiyimba came second with 17,744 votes.
Regional Shifts and Strongholds
The NRM saw a resurgence in the Teso sub-region. In Gweri County, Edmund Ariko (NRM) successfully moved from his previous constituency to win with 11,862 votes. However, the FDC managed to hold ground in Soroti, where Anna Adeke Ebaju retained the District Woman MP seat with 33,732 votes.
In Bukedea, David Becham Okweere secured a dominant 83.64 percent of the vote (68,103 votes) to defeat incumbent Bosco Ikojo. Speaker of Parliament Anita Among reclaimed her Bukedea Woman MP seat unopposed.
Hoima remained an NRM stronghold, though voters there also opted for new faces. Beatrice Wembabazi unseated incumbent Harriet Busiinge Mugenyi with 35,811 votes, while Gerald Kasigwa defeated incumbent David Karubanga in Kigorobya County.
The mixed verdict across the country signals a Parliament that will be marked by a significant influx of independent and opposition voices alongside a reorganized NRM front bench.
