210 NRM MPs To Run As Independents After Disputed Primaries But Reaffirm Support For President Museveni

Published on 01/10/2025

More than 210 Members of Parliament (MPs) from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) who lost in the party’s recent primaries have announced plans to contest as independent candidates, rejecting calls from the NRM secretariat to step aside.

The group, which unveiled its position during a press briefing on September 19, 2025, accused the party of presiding over sham elections marred by violence, intimidation, and corruption. While pledging loyalty to President Yoweri Museveni and the NRM, the MPs said they had been unfairly rigged out and would give voters a second chance to elect “their rightful leaders.”

Barnabas Tinkasimiire (Buyaga West) dismissed claims that the MPs were simply seeking jobs, arguing instead that they were fighting for justice and the integrity of the party. “President Museveni went to Luweero, and 800,000 people died because he was fighting vote rigging. Unfortunately, vote rigging has followed him into his political party. He knows what happened in our constituencies; that is why he formed the Election Tribunal. We will campaign for him because he isn’t the one who rigged us out; the people know who did,” Tinkasimiire said.

He added that the general election would give them “a safer chance” to reclaim voter trust, unlike the primaries which he described as “a sham where one person votes ten times, they count the child on the back, the womb, everything but the actual voter.”

Anthony Esenu (Kapelebyong County), who chairs the group, defended its formation, saying the primary process had been the most violent and corrupt in the party’s history. “We received declaration forms days before the elections, and results were almost predetermined. This platform isn’t the President’s idea, it is our own coordination as NRM members who were unfairly treated. We remain in NRM but will contest as independents,” he said.

Other MPs echoed these concerns. Peace Achan (Nwoya Woman MP) dismissed suggestions that they were being used by President Museveni, stressing: “We are members of the party. If there is any ‘using,’ it is mutual—we also rely on him as our principal. Our task is to ensure he gets overwhelming support.”

Richard Wanda (Bungokho Central) questioned the authority of the NRM secretariat to block independents. “If the party had organised credible primaries, it would have the moral right to stop members from running as independents. But since it failed, the Constitution gives us the right to contest,” Wanda argued.

Also rejected remarks by NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong that the independents were seeking attention and money. “Some of us have been loyal cadres all our lives. We aren’t blackmailing government—we simply want to correct a process Ugandans know was fraudulent,” she said.

Despite their grievances, several MPs, including Theodore Ssekikubo (Lwemiyaga County), insisted they would still campaign for Museveni. “We are here to save the party, galvanise the population, and ensure the President wins. This group should be praised, not condemned,” Ssekikubo said.

Biggest Winners: Ministers & NRM Loyalists Retain Seat

The following top-ranking government officials and ruling party loyalists comfortably secured victories to fly the party flag in the 2026 elections:

1. Jessica Alupo — Katakwi Woman MP
2. Anita Annet Among — Bukedea Woman MP
3. Rebecca Kadaga — Kamuli Woman MP
4. Matia Kasaija — Buyanja County
5. Robinah Nabbanja — Kakumiro Woman MP
6. Jim Muhwezi — Rujumbura County
7. Kahinda Otafiire — Ruhinda County
8. Bright Rwamirama — Isingiro North
9. Dr Charles Ayume — Koboko Municipality
10. Beatrice Anywar — Kitgum Municipality
11. Phiona Nyamutoro — Nebbi District Woman MP
12. Oboth Oboth Jacob — West Budama Central
13. Sam Engola — Erute South
14. Fredrick Ruhindi — Nakawa East
15. Shyaka Stephen Gashaija — Entebbe Municipality
16. Doreen Keita Kagabi — Makindye West
17. Sarah Babirye Kityo — Bukoto East
18. Annet Katusiime Mugisha — Bushenyi Woman MP
19. Susan Nakawuki Nsambu — Mawokota South
20. Thomas Tayebwa — Ruhinda North
21. Dr Jane Ruth Aceng — Lira City Woman MP
22. Judith Nabakooba — Mityana Woman MP
23. Vincent Ssempijja — Kalungu East
24. Minsa Kabanda — Kampala Central
25. Moses Magogo — Budiope East
26. Milly Babalanda — Budiope West

Rising Figures & New Faces

1. Jonah Wamani Byakutaga — Hoima East
2. Princess Diana Abwooli — Hoima City Woman MP
3. Beatrice Wembabazi (Tr Mummy) — Hoima Woman MP
4. Mastula Namatovu — Kamuli Municipality
5. Anita Flavia Omondi — Bugabula North
6. Paul Kintu Bamusibule — Buzaaya
7. Emmanuel Katoko — Bukono
8. Christopher Talemwa — Kyaddondo East
9. Emmanuel Kiyimba — Bukoto Mid-West
10. Dedan Mubangizi — Buwekula South
11. Daniel Kananura — Kira Municipality
12. Ojasi Swaibu — Iganga Municipality
13. Godfrey Bavekuno Mafumu Kyeswa — Butambala County
14. Noor Nakato — Butambala Woman MP
15. Margret Naziwa Rujumba — Kagadi Woman MP

Biggest Losers: Senior Ministers, Incumbents, and Political Heavyweights

1. Persis Namuganza — Bukono (lost to Emmanuel Katoko)
2. David Bahati — Ndorwa West (lost to Eriab Naturinda)
3. Musa Ecweru — Amuria County (lost to Samuel Ediau)
4. Obiga Kania — Terego County
5. Joyce Moriku Kaducu — Moyo Woman MP
6. Jennifer Namuyangu — Kibuku Woman MP (lost to Sylvia Katooko Damba)
7. Peter Lokeris — Chekwii East (lost to Stephenson Lokoru)
8. Esther Mbayo — Luuka Woman MP (lost to Annet Nabirye)
9. Theodore Ssekikubo — Lwemiyaga (lost to Brig Gen (Rtd) Rwashande)
10. Martin Muzaale — Buzaaya (lost to Paul Kintu Bamusibule)
11. Baroda Kayanga Watongola — Kamuli Municipality (lost to Mastula Namatovu)
12. Jane Bainomugisha — Ibanda Woman MP (lost to Jovrine Kaliisa)
13. Kyooma Xavier Akamparira — Ibanda North (lost to Maj. Guma)
14. Sylvia Nalumaga (Deputy Mayor) — Hoima City Woman MP (lost to Princess Diana)
15. Dr Joseph Ruyonga — Hoima West (lost to Donald Bategeka)
16. Harriet Businge — Hoima Woman MP (lost to Beatrice Wembabazi)
17. Hussein Hudu — Mbale Northern City Division (lost to Umar Nangoli)
18. Fred Kalema Pax — Bukoto East (lost to Sarah Babirye Kityo)
19. Caroline Kamusime — Rukiga Woman MP (lost to Sylvia Alinaitwe Mwanaki)
20. Nathan Igeme Nabeta — Jinja South East (lost, contesting outcome)
21. Isaac Ssejjoba — Bukoto Mid-West (lost to Emmanuel Kiyimba)

The NRM primaries reflected a clear hunger for political renewal within the ruling party. Voters in multiple districts rejected aging politicians in favor of younger, more vibrant candidates, many of whom have ties to grassroots mobilization or youth movements within the party.