KAMPALA, UGANDA — Several high-profile candidates from Uganda’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have secured their party’s endorsement without a contest in the recent primaries, but they now face a tougher battle against opposition rivals in the lead-up to the 2026 general election.
While many NRM hopefuls competed in hotly contested primaries, a select group, including President Yoweri Museveni, sailed through unopposed. Other prominent unopposed candidates include Speaker of Parliament Anita Among (Bukedea Woman MP) and Health Minister Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng (Lira City Woman MP). They are joined by Kampala Minister Minsa Kabanda, Susan Nakawuki of Mawokota South, and others.
However, political analysts caution that this internal victory does not guarantee a win in the general election. The focus is now shifting to the inter-party battles ahead.
In Bukedea, Speaker Among’s path is challenged by two rivals: Mercy Alupo, the flag bearer for the National Unity Platform (NUP), and Hellen Akol Odeke, who was disqualified from the NRM primaries and plans to run as an independent.
Joseph Sabiiti, the Speaker’s press secretary, dismissed the threat, stating, “Go to Bukedea and find out for yourself what is on the ground. Some of those noise makers are not even known to the people.”
Similar tensions are mounting in other constituencies.
- In Lira City, Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng has drawn a political battle line with Gender Minister Betty Amongi, who is expected to run against her. Aceng recently said, “I want her to come and stand in the city. There is no one else who will discipline her except Jane Ruth Aceng.” Amongi responded by saying voters would be the ultimate arbiter.
- In Mityana, unopposed NRM candidate Joseph Luzige is preparing to face his 2021 rival, Patrick Mugisha Nshiimye of the NUP. Luzige, who lost to Nshiimye in the last election, said, “This time, we are not taking chances.”
- Mawokota South is set to see a rematch between NRM’s Susan Nakawuki and the incumbent MP, Yusuf Nsibambi. Nakawuki, who was unopposed in the NRM primaries, has vowed to “uproot” the opposition MP.
- Busiro North and Kampala Central are also seeing intense political activity. In Busiro North, NRM’s Moses Mayanja is attempting to rebuild the party’s presence against an entrenched NUP. In Kampala Central, Minister Minsa Kabanda, unopposed within the NRM, will challenge NUP’s secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya, who is also unopposed in his party.
- Greater Masaka, a stronghold of the opposition, is another key battleground. Former minister Vincent Sempijja, who was unopposed in the NRM primaries, will face off against incumbent MP Francis Katabaazi of the Democratic Party (DP).
The political landscape is also challenging for unopposed opposition candidates. Fred Kayondo and Richard Lumu, unopposed members of the Democratic Party, are facing pressure from NUP and NRM challengers.
“Whoever comes, I am ready,” Kayondo said, standing firm in his allegiance to the DP.
