The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) held its internal elections on Thursday to choose party flag bearers for the 2026 parliamentary elections.
While many party heavyweights sailed through with ease—among them Vice President Jessica Alupo, Speaker of Parliament Anita Among, Deputy Speaker Thomas Tayebwa, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja, and First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga—a number of familiar faces suffered surprise defeats, sending shockwaves through the party base.
Among the most notable casualties was long-serving legislator Theodore Ssekikubo, who has represented Lwemiyaga County in Sembabule District for two decades. He was defeated by Brig. (Rtd) Gen. Emmanuel Rwashande in what turned out to be one of the most fiercely contested races of the NRM primaries.
Tinkasimire Barnabas, who has represented Buyaga West for the past 20 years, lost to Denis Namara in the NRM primaries. Namara was declared the winner with an impressive 48,166 votes, while the incumbent, Tinkasimire, received 18,288.
In Bukoto South, incumbent MP Twaha Kagabo—who defected from the National Unity Platform to join NRM—lost to Hajji Muyanja Mbabali in another hotly contested election.
Trade Minister David Bahati also faced a stunning loss in Ndorwa West, where he was unseated by lawyer Eliab Naturinda Mporera. Naturinda secured 25,027 votes against Bahati’s 23,759.
The wave of upsets continued in Amuria County, where State Minister for Works and Transport, Musa Francis Ecweru, was defeated by Samuel Ediau in a closely followed primary.
Sarah Kabarokole won the Bunyangabu Woman MP race in the NRM primaries, defeating the incumbent, Hon. Minister Peace Mutuuzo.
In Mbale City Northern Division, former Masaka City Resident City Commissioner (RCC) Hussein Hudu narrowly lost to Umaru Nangoli, highlighting just how competitive the primaries have become.
Meanwhile, in Jinja South West, former Resident District Commissioner (RDC) Eric Sakwa suffered a heavy defeat to former MP Balyeku Moses. Sakwa managed just 72 votes, while Balyeku garnered an overwhelming 9,290.
Former NBS TV journalist Victoria Bagaya lost the NRM flag race for Fort Portal City Woman MP. Bagaya garnered 3,662 votes, while Linda Irene won with 9,160 votes.
These results paint a clear picture of shifting tides within the NRM, as the party’s grassroots assert their influence ahead of the 2026 general elections.
