Uganda’s 2026 general elections have produced one of the most disruptive 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 as voters delivered a mixed and regionally varied verdict.
According to results declared by the Electoral Commission (EC), the elections, conducted under the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda (1995) and the Parliamentary Elections Act, 2005, have redrawn the political map, weakened some strongholds while consolidated the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in others.
The National Unity Platform (NUP), which made historic gains in the 2021 elections largely on the back of support from Buganda, suffered its most substantial reversal yet. Provisional tallies indicate that the party lost at least 23 parliamentary seats, the majority of them in Buganda, many of which were reclaimed by the NRM or won by NRM-leaning independents.
In the outgoing 11th Parliament, NUP held 57 seats, with 55 MPs from Buganda. However, following the 2026 polls, the party’s strength has dropped to about 43 seats, shrinking its presence in the 12th Parliament by at least 14 MPs.
Several high-profile losses underscored the party’s decline in the region.
In Kawempe South, former NUP MP Bashir Kazibwe did not seek re-election after falling out with party leadership. The seat was contested by NUP chairperson Fred Nyanzi, who 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 Hajjat Minsa Kabanda, the Minister for Kampala Capital City and Metropolitan Affairs. The race drew national attention after the incumbent, Muhammad Nsereko, exited the contest to pursue a presidential bid that failed at the nomination stage.
NUP also lost Nakawa East to NRM’s Freddie Ruhindi. The seat is currently represented by Ronald Balimwezo, who opted to run for Kampala Lord Mayor instead of defending his parliamentary position.
In Wakiso District, a former NUP stronghold, the party was defeated in Busiro North, Busiro South, and Entebbe Municipality. In Busiro South, Kenan Opio (NRM) defeated incumbent Charles Matovu. In Busiro North, Moses Mayanja beat Ronald Ssemaganda after incumbent Paul Nsubuga was denied the party ticket. In Entebbe Municipality, Steven Shyaka Gashaija defeated NUP’s Alice Namuli, while incumbent Michael Kakembo contested on the Democratic Front ticket.
In Nakaseke District, NUP suffered a double blow. Allan Mayanja, MP for Nakaseke Central, lost to State Minister for Kampala Kabuye Kyofatogabye, while Paul Lutamaguzi was defeated in Nakaseke South by NRM’s Charles Nsereko Basajjassubi.
In Bukomansimbi District, all three NUP MPs were swept out by NRM candidates, including Women MPs Veronica Nannyondo and Christine Ndiwalana, as well as county MP Solomon Kayemba.
In Butambala District, NUP Woman MP Aisha Kabanda and county MP Muwanga Kivumbi lost their seats to independents Lydia Mirembe and Eriasa Mukiibi Sserunjogi, respectively, highlighting the growing influence of independent candidates in Uganda’s electoral politics.
In Kiboga District, NUP 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.
In Mityana District, Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba defeated NUP’s Mukisa Proscovia in the Women MP race, while incumbent Joyce Bagala failed to return after being denied the party ticket.
Despite its losses, NUP managed to flip six seats in Buganda and at least seven in the Busoga sub-region, signaling a partial expansion beyond its traditional base.
Kira Municipality MP Hon Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda
In Kira Municipality, NUP’s George Musisi, a Kampala lawyer, defeated People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) leader Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda by a margin of 6,876 votes. The party also captured seats in Kayunga, Nakasongola, Mukono South, Buikwe South, and Mubende Municipality, defeating candidates from DP, PFF, and NRM.
The elections also claimed several senior government figures and long-serving MPs.
In Rukungiri Municipality, retired Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde (NRM) defeated Ingrid Kamateneti Turinawe of the People’s Front for Freedom. In Lira City, Gender Minister Betty Amongi lost the Woman MP race to Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng after shifting constituencies.
Former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga lost Nyendo-Mukungwe in Masaka City, while several veteran NRM “rebels” were voted out, including Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga), Wilfred Niwagaba (Ndorwa East), and Barnabas Tinkasimire (Buyaga West).
Among ministers who lost their parliamentary bids 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.
Analysts say the results reflect voter fatigue with incumbency, internal party disputes over flag bearers, and the continued rise of independents, even as the NRM consolidates its dominance in key regions.
As Uganda prepares for the opening of the 12th Parliament, the new composition signals 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 contested political term ahead.
