By Spy Uganda
Uganda’s 2026 general elections have produced one of the most far-reaching parliamentary shake-ups since the return to multiparty politics in 2005, with senior opposition figures, cabinet ministers, long-serving incumbents and influential political rebels losing their seats in a contest that delivered a mixed and regionally uneven verdict.
Results declared by the Electoral Commission (EC) show that the elections, conducted under the 1995 Constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act, 2005, have significantly redrawn the country’s political map—weakening long-held strongholds, reshaping party dominance, and reinforcing the growing role of independent candidates.
The National Unity Platform (NUP), which emerged as the main opposition force following sweeping gains in the 2021 elections, recorded its most notable reversal yet. Provisional results indicate that the party lost at least 23 parliamentary seats, the majority of them in the Buganda region, where many constituencies were reclaimed by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) or won by NRM-leaning independents.
In the outgoing 11th Parliament, NUP held 57 seats, including 55 from Buganda. Following the 2026 polls, its representation has fallen to about 43 seats, reducing its strength in the 12th Parliament by at least 14 MPs.
Several high-profile defeats underscored the party’s setbacks. In Kawempe South, former MP Bashir Kazibwe did not seek re-election after falling out with party leadership. NUP chairperson Fred Nyanzi contested the seat but lost to NRM’s Madinah Nsereko, returning the constituency to the ruling party. In Kampala Central, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya was defeated by Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, following the exit of incumbent Muhammad Nsereko from the race.
NUP also lost Nakawa East to NRM’s Freddie Ruhindi after incumbent Ronald Balimwezo opted to contest the Kampala Lord Mayor position instead of defending his parliamentary seat.
The party’s losses were particularly pronounced in Wakiso District, once regarded as a NUP stronghold. NUP candidates were defeated in Busiro North, Busiro South and Entebbe Municipality. In Busiro South, NRM’s Kenan Opio unseated incumbent Charles Matovu, while in Busiro North, Moses Mayanja defeated Ronald Ssemaganda after the incumbent was denied the party ticket. In Entebbe Municipality, Steven Shyaka Gashaija beat NUP’s Alice Namuli amid a crowded field that included Democratic Front candidates.
In Nakaseke District, NUP suffered a double setback as Nakaseke Central MP Allan Mayanja lost to State Minister for Kampala Kabuye Kyofatogabye, while Paul Lutamaguzi was defeated in Nakaseke South by NRM’s Charles Nsereko Basajjassubi.
Bukomansimbi District delivered a clean sweep for the NRM, with all three NUP MPs—including Women MPs Veronica Nannyondo and Christine Ndiwalana, as well as county MP Solomon Kayemba—losing their seats. In Butambala District, NUP Woman MP Aisha Kabanda and county MP Muwanga Kivumbi were both defeated by independent candidates Lydia Mirembe and Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi, highlighting the growing electoral influence of independents.
Further losses for NUP included Kiboga District, where Woman MP Christine Kkaaya Nakimwero was defeated by NRM’s Desire Muhooza. Popular musicians-turned-politicians Hilary Kiyaga (Dr Hilderman) and Geoffrey Lutaaya also lost their seats in Mawokota North and Kakuuto County, respectively.
Despite the setbacks, NUP managed to secure gains outside its traditional base. The party flipped six seats in Buganda and at least seven in the Busoga sub-region, signalling modest geographic expansion. In Kira Municipality, NUP’s George Musisi defeated People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) leader Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda by 6,876 votes. Additional victories were recorded in Kayunga, Nakasongola, Mukono South, Buikwe South, and Mubende Municipality.
The elections also proved costly for several senior government figures and veteran lawmakers. In Rukungiri Municipality, retired Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde (NRM) defeated PFF’s Ingrid Kamateneti Turinawe. In Lira City, Gender Minister Betty Amongi lost the Woman MP seat to Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng after switching constituencies.
Former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga lost Nyendo-Mukungwe in Masaka City, while several long-standing NRM “rebels” were voted out, including Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East) and Barnabas Tinkasimire (Buyaga West).
Among ministers who failed to retain their seats are David Bahati (Ndorwa West), Hamson Obua (Ajuri County), Agnes Nandutu (Bududa Woman MP), Joyce Moriku Kaducu (Moyo), John Mulimba, Henry Okello Oryem and Beatrice Anywar.
Political analysts say the results reflect growing voter fatigue with incumbency, internal party disputes over flag bearers, and the continued rise of independent candidates, even as the NRM consolidates its dominance in key regions.
As Uganda prepares for the opening of the 12th Parliament, the new composition points to a legislature shaped less by sweeping opposition waves and more by fragmented loyalties, strategic voting, and shifting regional dynamics—setting the stage for a complex and closely contested political term ahead.
