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FULL LIST: Winners and Losers in the NRM Primaries

Updated: Jul 18

Winners and losers: Uganda’s NRM primaries shake up political landscape. Full list of candidates who won — and those who lost — including ministers, MPs, and fresh faces


The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has released the full list of winners and losers following hotly contested parliamentary primaries held across the country this week.


The primaries — marred by tight security, scattered violence, and the death of at least two people — delivered major political upsets and confirmed a significant generational shift within the party. Several senior ministers and long-serving MPs were shown the exit, while new political actors and returning former MPs triumphed in a surprising reshuffle.

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FULL LIST: Winners and Losers in the NRM Primaries

Winners: Blend of New Blood and Familiar Names

More than 100 candidates emerged victorious in various districts, including incumbents, returning former MPs, and fresh entrants into the political arena. Among the notable victors were top government officials who survived intense competition.


Prominent winners include:

  • Robinah Nabbanja (Prime Minister) — Kakumiro District

  • Rtd Maj Jessica Alupo (Vice President) — Katakwi District WMP

  • Matia Kasaija (Finance Minister) — Buyanja

  • Jim Muhwezi (Security Minister) — Rujumbura County

  • Gen. Kahinda Otafiire (Internal Affairs Minister) — Ruhinda County

  • Rebecca Kadaga (East African Affairs Minister) — Kamuli District WMP

  • Hamson Obua (Gov’t Chief Whip) — Ajuri County

  • Phionah Nyamutoro (State Minister for Energy) — Nebbi District WMP

  • Solomon Silwayi (Parliamentary Commissioner) — Bukooli Central

  • Thomas Tayebwa, Ruhinda North

Other key winners:

  • Annet Nabirye - Luuka District WMP

  • Michael Mawanda — Igara East

  • Godfrey Matembu Wakooli — Butiru County

  • Charles Nsereko — Nakaseke South

  • Joseph Kabuye Kyofatogabye — Nakaseke Central

  • Prof. Wilber Ahebwa — Nakaseke North

  • Sarah Najumah — Nakaseke District WMP

  • Gaddafi Nasur — Katikamu North

  • Abubaker Kalume — Katikamu South

  • Dr. Robert Kiyini — Bamunanika County

  • Agnes Kirabo — Luweero District WMP

  • Eng. Ben Sebbugga Kimeze — Budyebo County

  • Steven Bugingo — Nakasongola County

  • Victorious Zawedde — Nakasongola District WMP

  • Moses Grace Balyeku — Jinja South West

  • Peace Tibyaza — Jinja District WMP

  • Stephen Kissa — Luuka South County

  • Maurice Kibalya — Bugabula South

  • John Patrick Kasajja — Bulamogi North West

  • Fredrick Munirwa — Kagoma County

  • Lydia Wanyoto — Mbale City WMP

  • Dr. Charles Ayume — Koboko

  • John Musila — Bubulo West

  • Ojara Mapenduzi — Bardege–Layibi Division, Gulu City

  • Tonny Eron — Kwania County

  • Eunice Namatente — Bugiri District WMP

  • John Francis Okecho — Bugiri Municipality

  • Amina Nalugoda — Bugweri District WMP

  • Sadala Wandera — Bugweri County

  • Atima Jackson Lee — Arua Central

  • Miriam Mukhaye — Mbale District WMP

  • Richard Mbazira — Jinja South East

  • Farida Nambi — Kawempe North

  • Sam Engola — Erute South

  • Shyaka Gashaija — Entebbe Municipality

  • Ojasi Swaibu — Iganga Municipality

  • Jane Francis Acilo — Oyam District WMP

  • Hashim Sulaiman — Nebbi Municipality

  • Dr. Patrick Wakida — Kabweri County

  • Katusiime Annet Mugisha — Bushenyi District WMP

  • Fred Ruhindi — Nakawa East

  • Doreen Keita — Makindye West

  • Judith Nuwabaine — Makindye East

  • Idd Basajjabalaba — Bushenyi–Ishaka Municipality

  • Beatrice Anywar — Kitgum Municipality

  • Moses Okello — Erute South, Lira

  • John Wamboga — Industrial Division, Mbale City

  • Charles Tamwenya — Kibuku County

  • Suubi Katooko — Kibuku District WMP

  • Moses Goire — Budaka County

  • Swaibu Kampanya — Iki-Iki County

  • Noel Kataike — Budaka District WMP

  • Sylvia Katooko — Kibuku District WMP

  • Sowedi Isma Mulemya — Busia Municipality

  • Sarah Kabarokole — Bunyangabu District WMP

  • Victor Kalenzi — Bunyangabu County

  • Thembo Gideon Mujungu — Busongora South

  • Robert Masereka Marule — Busongora North

  • Dr. Julius Monday Rude — Bukonzo East

  • Dr. Chrispus Kiyonga — Bukonzo West

  • Joseph Mugenyi — Burahya County

  • Jackson Kafuzi — Kyaka South

  • Edison Rugumayi — Ntoroko County

  • Jenifer Mujungu — District Woman MP

  • Frank Tumwebaze — Kibaale County

  • Robert Mudukol — Butebo County

  • Madina Nsereko — Rubaga South

  • Amanya Cohen — Igara West

  • Anderson Burora — Nakawa West

  • Jessica Ababiku — Adjumani District WMP

  • Dulu Angel Mark — Adjumani East

  • Alima Joyce Reni — Gulu City WMP

  • Tonny Kitara — Laroo–Pece Division

  • Amelia Kyambadde — Mawokota County

  • Nuluh Nakato — Butambala Woman

  • Sarah Inachu — Soroti City

  • Monica Namukose — Jinja Woman

  • Jacob Oboth Oboth — West Budama Central

  • Sarah Babirye Kityo — Bukoto East

  • Pedum Josephine — Ngora Woman

  • Abdu Kiyimba — Busiro East

  • Esther Ndayanabo — Mityana Municipality

  • Vincent Nyanzi — Busujju County

  • Kibedi Nsegumire — Mityana North

  • Judith Nabakooba — Mityana Woman (unopposed)

  • Rebecca Natukunda — Kassanda Woman

  • Abdul Bisasao — Kassanda South

  • Isaac Kamulegya — Kassanda North

  • Micheal Bukenya Kyabikoola — Bukuya

  • Geniva Arinaitwe — Rubirnzi Woman


Losers: Ministers and Incumbents Shown the Door

The primaries claimed several political casualties — many of them cabinet members or sitting legislators.


High-profile losers include:


  • Esther Mbayo — Luuka District WMP

  • David Bahati — Ndorwa West (Kabaale)

  • Musa Ecweru — Amuria County

  • Agnes Nandutu — Bulambuli District WMP

  • Irene Muloni — Bulambuli District WMP

  • Jennifer Namuyangu — Kibuku District WMP

  • Joyce Kaducu — Moyo District WMP

  • Obiga Kania — Terego County

  • Peter Lokeris — Chekwii East

  • Shukla Mukesha Babuhhai — Nakawa West

  • Amelia Kyambadde — Mawokota County

  • Dr. Elioda Mwesigye — Sheema North

  • Scholastica Najjemba — Kiira Municipality

  • Kiwanda Suubi — Mityana North

  • Dr. David Saturday — Ruhinda North

  • Solomon Kukundakwe — Ruhinda North

  • Wilson Sanya — Koboko Municipality

  • Edson Tumwebaze — Kiira Municipality

  • Herbert Kinobe — —

  • Stephen Mugoolo — Kabweri



Other notable losses:


  • Hudu Hussein — Northern City Division, Mbale

  • Fred Kalema Pax — Bukoto East

  • Bernard Odoi — West Budama Central

  • Ivan Kabeeba — Nakawa West

  • Margaret Natongo Zziwa — Nakawa West

  • Ssenyonjo Herbert — Nakawa West

  • Hajathi Nakibule — Butambala Woman

  • Emily Shiela Amulo — Soroti City

  • Amongin Jacqueline, Suzan Akiror Irene, Eunice Akiteng, Annet Angenyo — all lost in Ngora Woman

  • Kirenzi Clayeford, Rukundo Benon Mayombo — Igara East

  • Kiryowa Andrawa — Bukoto East

  • Frank Tumuhimbise — Ruhinda North


What Lies Ahead


With the NRM primaries concluded, attention now shifts toward national campaigns and coalition building. Political analysts argue the primaries demonstrate a growing appetite for renewal within the ruling party.


Investigations into election violence are ongoing. Meanwhile, many defeated incumbents are reportedly weighing independent bids.



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