KAMPALA, Uganda — Primary elections for Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party concluded Thursday, July 17, 2025, with a comprehensive list of winners emerging across various constituencies. The polls were characterized by early celebrations in some areas, but also by reported disputes, petitions, and heightened security at numerous tally centers.
Following the primaries, preliminary results indicated the following individuals as winners in their respective races:
- Phiona Nyamutoro (Nebbi Woman MP)
- Thomas Tayebwa (MP, Ruhinda North County, Mitooma District)
- Anita Among (Woman MP, Bukedea District)
- Matia Kasaija (Buyanja County, Kibaale District)
- Jim Muhwezi (MP, Rujumbura County, Rukungiri District)
- Molly Kamukama (Woman MP, Kazo District)
- Moses Ali (MP, East Moyo County, Adjumani District)
- Iddi Bassajja (Bushenyi-Ishaka Municipality Constituency)
- Annet Katusiime Mugisha (Woman MP, Bushenyi District)
- Robinah Nabbanja (Woman MP, Kakumiro District)
- Sylvia Alinaitwe (Woman MP, Rukiga County)
- Jane Frances Acilo (Woman MP, Oyam District)
- Gen. Henry Tumukunde (MP, Rukungiri Municipality)
- Moses Balyeku (Jinja West)
- Joseph Mugenyi (MP, Burahya County, Kabarole)
- Frank Tumwebaze (Kibale East)
- Jackson Kafuuzi (Kyaka South)
- Ephraim Kamuntu (Sheema South)
- Sylia Katooko Damba (Kibuku Woman MP)
- Edson Rugumayo (MP, Ntoroko County)
- Mbaziira Richard (MP, Jinja South East)
- Faridah Nambi (Kawempe North)
- Micheal Mawanda (Igara East)
- Steven Shyaka Gashaija (Entebbe Municipality)
- Rebecca Kyarampe Namanya (Mitooma District)
- Elioda Tumwesigye (Sheema North MP seat)
- Dickson Kateshumbwa (Sheema Municipality)
- Adrine Mwebesa (Woman MP, Sheema)
- Kahinda Otafiire (Ruhinda County)
- Arthur Kazoora (Ruhinda South)
- Dennis Namara (Buyaga West)
- Jessica Alupo (Katakwi District Woman MP)
- Counsel Cohen Kyampene (Igara West)
- Rebecca Kadaga (Kamuli District Woman MP)
By 5 p.m., most polling stations across the country had closed. Supporters and candidates began converging on district tally centers to await official results, though tabulation had yet to begin in several regions as village-level results continued to trickle in. In Wakiso District, supporters of some candidates were seen celebrating in the streets, anticipating victories based on preliminary counts.
Despite the declarations of winners, the day was not without controversy. In Sembabule District’s hotly contested Mawogola County race, parliamentary aspirant Yasin Kironde petitioned NRM Electoral Commission chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, seeking to annul the election. Kironde accused the party of overseeing a “militarized and violent process,” claiming Uganda People’s Defense Forces (UPDF) soldiers interfered to favor his opponent, Oswaldo Dez Byuma. He alleged 13 of his campaign agents were injured in security-related violence and hospitalized.
“Since the commencement of this process, our supporters and campaign agents have been subjected to targeted violence, arrests, kidnappings and threats perpetrated under the guise of machinery,” Kironde wrote in his petition. He stated he had withdrawn his agents from all polling stations in protest, describing the events as a “betrayal of the democratic principles that the NRM claims to uphold under President Museveni.”
Wilberforce Begumisa, Kironde’s rival in Mawogola West, leveled similar accusations against the incumbent and State Minister for Health, Anifa Kawooya Bangirana, alleging voter bribery and intimidation. Begumisa vowed to challenge the results with collected evidence.
Elsewhere, voters in Namatovu Village, Luwero District, petitioned the district registrar over irregularities after finding only one supporter’s name in the party’s “yellow book,” with others listed from neighboring villages. District Registrar Osuman Lubega confirmed the complaint and said he referred it to the NRM Secretariat for guidance.
In Nakaseke North constituency, voters at Kijjumba village and Butebere in Ngoma sub-county missed elections after presiding officers abandoned polling stations due to intimidation. At Butebere, candidate Ndamira Phillip allegedly stormed the polling station, threatening voters and officials before drawing a gun, causing voters to flee. Eyewitnesss reported a resident, retired Col. Kayamba, also stormed the station armed with a pistol, forcing the presiding officer to flee with the register and report the incident to Ngoma Police Station.
Paul Tandeka, the NRM District Registrar, said elections in those areas were called off due to intimidation. However, Tandeka noted elections proceeded smoothly across the rest of the constituency, and results would be announced based on available tallies.
Earlier, on Wednesday, a supporter was shot in the legs at Kimotozi village in Kinyogogogga after attacking a UPDF soldier guarding the station. Separately, Dan Komuzaire, an aide to incumbent Member of Parliament Enock Nyongore, was shot and injured by bodyguards of rival candidate Phillip Ndamira Tumukunde.
At Ndejje Polling station in Luwero district, Majembere, father of NRM candidate Marvin Mugisha, reportedly stormed the polling station and tore Declaration of Results (DR) forms in protest before police intervened. Sam Twiineamazima, the Savannah Regional Police Spokesperson, said police are investigating the incident and others in Makulubita sub-county, where Mugisha’s supporters also tore DR forms.
Security remained visibly tight at the Lira District tally center at Itek Sub-county headquarters, where police and UPDF soldiers guarded the fenced premises, barring supporters from entry. The Lira contest pits former Lands Minister Sam Engola against former Resident District Commissioner George Abdul, with the winner slated to face Uganda People’s Congress candidate Jonathan Odur for the Erute South MP seat in the 2026 general election.
In Otuke District, police arrested two individuals, Josephine Akello, a district councilor, and JB Econgo, in Olilim Sub-county, on accusations of voter bribery. They were allegedly distributing money on behalf of incumbent Woman MP Susan Abeja.
