Former MPs, ministers stage political comeback

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Several former Members of Parliament who had previously lost their seats have made successful comebacks, reclaiming their positions in the newly elected Parliament, a development that underscores the resilience of seasoned politicians and the unpredictable nature of Uganda’s electoral politics.

Preliminary results released by the Electoral Commission show that a number of veteran politicians, once written off after earlier defeats, returned stronger, capitalising on experience, renewed grassroots mobilisation and shifting voter dynamics in their constituencies.

Political analysts say the comeback victories were driven by lessons learnt from past losses, including the need for closer engagement with voters, rebuilding party structures and addressing constituency-specific concerns that may have been ignored during previous terms.

In some areas, returning MPs benefited from voter dissatisfaction with first-term incumbents, while in others, divisions among opposition candidates or independent contenders created openings for experienced politicians to regain ground.

The return of former MPs is expected to bring institutional memory and legislative experience to the next Parliament, particularly at a time when many first-time legislators are entering the House. However, analysts caution that voters will closely monitor whether the returning lawmakers deliver tangible results or fall back into the complacency that previously cost them their seats.

As the new Parliament takes shape, the mix of political newcomers and comeback MPs highlights a broader message from the electorate: political survival depends not only on name recognition, but also on consistent performance, accountability and responsiveness to voters’ needs.

SHEEMA

Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu (NRM) has been declared winner of Sheema South, polling 15,337. He was followed by Prof. Elijah Dickens Mushemeza (IND) with 10,417.

In Sheema North, Dr Elioda Tumwesigye (NRM) polled 17,506, while Musinguzi Julius (IND) got 3,270 votes.

The Woman MP seat went to Adrine Katusiime Mwebesa (NRM) with 50,754, while Jacklet Atuhaire (IND) got 25,795 votes.

KASESE

In Bukonzo County West: Dr Crispus Kiyonga, former minister and now chancellor of Makerere University, was declared winner, beating FDC’s Godfrey Atkins Katusabe.

RUKUNGIRI

In Rukungiri Municipality, Henry Tumukunde (NRM) won the elections with 7,119 votes. Ingrid Turinawe of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) got 6,268, Dr Wallen Tumwine (IND) 227 votes and Richard Akanyijuka 23 votes.

RUHAAMA

In Ruhaama County, the returning officer, Charles Wafula, declared Beatrice Rwakimari (NRM) as she got 30,813 votes, beating the 19,891 votes.

She got 30,813 votes, beating winner of the elections. incumbent MP Henry Nkwasibwe Zinkuratire (Independent), who got the 19,891 votes.

The other contestants were Gerard Mucurezi (ANT) got 822 votes, Guard Kamaradi (NUP) 204 votes, Alex Kamara (UPC) garnered 202 votes, Eugene Shibar Kakajara (IND) got 163 votes and Richard Barungi (IND) got 106 votes.

NTUNGAMO

In Ntungamo Municipality, Gerard Karuhanga (Independent) bounced back. He polled 3,967 votes, beating the incumbent MP Yona Musinguzi of the NRM, who garnered 2,824 votes.

Others, including Edward Beyendeza (IND), got 476 votes, as Godwin Rubahamya Magambo of national Unity platform got only 141 votes.

LIRA

For the Erute County South MP seat, former state minister Samuel Engola (NRM) emerged winner with 22,404 votes, defeating Jonathan Odur (UPC), who got 16,066 votes and Peter Ogwang (IND) with 465 votes.

For Lira District Woman MP, Agnes Linda Auma (NRM) won the elections with 42,825 votes, followed by Florence Ongina Adupa (UPC) with 25,541 and Margaret Ateng Otim (IND) with 860 votes.

GULU

The Minister for Justice and Constitution Affairs, Norbert Mao, has taken the crown from Fr Charles Onen to become the next MP for Laroo-Pece Division.

Mao, who contested on the Democratic Party ticket, obtained 7,359 votes, defeating Onen, who got 5,562 votes and Tony Kitara, who acquired 2,867 votes.

The other candidates; Simon Opoka got 381 votes, Geoffrey Komakech got 236 votes, Wilfred Opobo got 207 votes, Charles Odokonyero got 77 votes and Samuel George Okello got 65 votes.

The total number of voters in Laroo-Pece as per Electoral Commission data of 2026 are 66,559 from 142 polling stations.

The total number of valid votes were 16,754, while the invalid were 795.

In the 2021 general election, Father Onen was elected to Parliament with a total of 6,633 votes, defeating others like Geoffrey Komakech with 1,619 votes, Simon Opoka with 698 votes and Charles Odokonyero with 36 votes.

OBONGI

Hassan Kaps Fungaroo, the FDC party flag bearer in the election for the Obongi County Member of Parliament, has been declared winner by the returning officer for Obongi, Innocent Akena, after obtaining 8,503 votes, while George Bhoka (NRM), the incumbent, got 7,607.

Compiled by John Odyek, Nelson Muhoozi, David Opus, Simon Ongodia, Wilson Asiimwe, Alfred Atwau and Francis Ocen.