By Spy Uganda
The 2026 general elections have dealt a heavy blow to the National Unity Platform (NUP), particularly in its traditional stronghold of Buganda, where the party lost at least 23 parliamentary seats.
Most of the lost seats were reclaimed by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) which had previously lost them in the 2021 elections or by NRM-leaning independents.
NUP Losses In Buganda
In the outgoing Parliament, NUP commanded 57 MPs, 55 of whom hailed from Buganda. However, the 2026 results significantly reduced this dominance.
Among the notable losses is Kawempe South, previously represented by Bashir Kazibwe, who did not seek re-election following a fallout with NUP leadership. The party fronted Fred Nyanzi, elder brother to party president Robert Kyagulanyi, but the seat slipped away.
NUP also lost Nakawa East to NRM’s Freddie Ruhindi.
In Wakiso District, the party suffered defeats in Busiro North, Busiro South, and Entebbe Municipality.
- In Busiro South, Kenan Opio defeated incumbent Charles Matovu.
- In Busiro North, Moses Mayanja ousted Ronald Ssemaganda, while incumbent Paul Nsubuga was denied the NUP ticket.
- In Entebbe Municipality, Alice Namuli lost to Steven Shyaka Gashaija, as incumbent Michael Kakembo defected to the Democratic Front.
In Nakaseke District, Allan Mayanja (Nakaseke Central) was defeated by State Minister for Kampala Kabuye Kyofatogabye.
Bukomansimbi District saw a complete wipe-out of NUP representation. Defeated MPs include:
- Veronica Nannyondo (Woman MP)
- Christine Ndiwalana
- Solomon Kayemba (Bukomansimbi North and South)
In Butambala District, both NUP MPs fell to independents:
- Aisha Kabanda lost to Lydia Mirembe
- Muwanga Kivumbi was defeated by Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi
In Kiboga, Woman MP Christine Kkaaya Nakimwero lost to NRM’s Desire Muhooza.
Prominent musicians-turned-politicians Dr Hilderman Kiyaga (Mawokota North) and Geoffrey Lutaaya (Kakuuto County) were also defeated.
In Mityana District, NUP Woman MP candidate Mukisa Proscovia lost to Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba, while incumbent Joyce Bagala failed to secure the party ticket.
Other defeated NUP MPs include:
- Evans Kanyike (Bukoto East)
- Steven Sserubula (Lugazi Municipality)
- Goretti Namugga (Mawogola South)
- Suzan Mugabi (Buvuma Woman MP)
- Flavia Nabagabe (Kassanda Woman MP)
- Frank Kabuye (Kassanda South)
Seats Won & Flipped by NUP
Despite the setbacks, NUP managed to flip six seats in Buganda and seven in Busoga.
Among the Buganda gains:
- Kira Municipality: Prominent lawyer George Musisi defeated PFF’s Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda by 6,876 votes.
- Kayunga District: Harriet Nakwedde emerged victorious.
- Nakasongola County: Won by Ivan Kyeyune.
- Mukono South: Robert Maseruka defeated DP’s Fred Kayondo.
- Buikwe South: NUP ousted PFF’s Bayiga Lulume.
- Mubende Municipality: NUP defeated NRM’s Lubega Bashir.
The party also expanded beyond Buganda by securing at least seven parliamentary seats in the Busoga sub-region.
In total, NUP won 43 parliamentary seats in the 2026 elections. This represents a net loss of 14 MPs compared to the 57 seats held in the outgoing Parliament.
With Parliament comprising 459 territorial MPs, NUP’s reduced numbers signal a significant shift in the political balance as the 12th Parliament takes shape.
