The number of Cabinet ministers who have been voted out of Parliament in the 2026 general elections is long, with several senior government officials failing to retain their seats.
Among those defeated is the Minister of Water and Environment, Beatrice Anywar, who lost the Kitgum Municipality parliamentary race. Anywar has served as State Minister for the Environment since December 2019.
State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry), David Bahati, was also voted out after losing his long-held Ndorwa West County seat in Kabale District, which he has represented for many years.
Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua, the Member of Parliament for Ajuri County in Alebtong District, failed to defend his seat despite having gone through the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries unopposed. Obua has previously served as State Minister for Sports.
Several other ministers also suffered defeats at the polls. Gender Minister Betty Amongi lost the Lira City parliamentary race to fellow minister Dr Jane Ruth Acheng, while State Minister for Primary Education Moriku Kaducu was defeated by Bernadette Chandia Kodili in the Moyo District Woman Member of Parliament contest.
Minister of State for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs, John Mulimba, was also voted out by voters.
Similarly, Okello Oryem, the long-serving State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Affairs, lost the Chua County parliamentary seat in Kitgum District.
State Minister for Cooperatives Frederick Ngobi Gume, who represents Bulamogi North West County in Kaliro District, was defeated in his re-election bid. Gume has been in Parliament since 2016 and was last re-elected in 2021.
Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs Florence Nambozo Wamala also lost her Sironko District Woman Member of Parliament seat. She had served two consecutive terms in Parliament since 2016.
Meanwhile, a number of ministers and former ministers who were defeated in the 2021 general elections have made a political comeback. Minister Haruna Kasolo reclaimed the Kyotera County seat after defeating National Unity Platform’s John Paul Lukwago Mpalanyi, who was the incumbent.
Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba also returned to Parliament after winning the Mityana District Woman Member of Parliament seat. She had lost the position in 2021 to Joyce Bagala, then of the National Unity Platform.
Former Trade Minister Amelia Kyambadde similarly staged a comeback, winning the Mawokota North parliamentary seat. She had been defeated in the 2021 elections by NUP’s Hillary Kiyaga, popularly known as Dr Hilderman.
