Major Upsets Define 2026 Parliamentary Elections
The 2026 parliamentary elections have delivered significant shocks, with prominent opposition leaders and several cabinet ministers losing their seats amid major gains for both the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the National Unity Platform (NUP).
High-profile defeats marked the polls. In Kampala Central, NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya was defeated by NRM’s Minister Hajjat Minsa Kabanda. Kawempe South saw NRM’s Madinah Nsereko overcome Fred Nyanzi. Former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga lost Nyendo-Mukungwe to NUP’s Lubowa Ssebina Gyaviira.
The wave of surprises also swept through the government. Key ministers, including Betty Amongi (Gender), David Bahati, Hamson Obua, Agnes Nandutu, and Joyce Moriku Kaducu were among those who lost parliamentary seats. Notably, Amongi was defeated by Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng in the Lira City Woman MP race.
Long-serving NRM rebels also fell, with Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East), and Barnabas Tinkasimire (Buyaga West) losing their constituencies.
Despite losses, NUP strengthened its position by flipping several seats in Buganda and Busoga. The NRM also reclaimed strategic constituencies in Wakiso District and saw victories for figures like Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba in Mityana and Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde in Rukungiri Municipality.
The results point to a dramatic reshuffling of Uganda’s political landscape, with veteran lawmakers making way for new faces and parties consolidating influence in key regions.
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