Political intrigue blamed as Iganga LC5 chief Gabula loses seat to NUP's Isabirye
Isabirye, who had previously stood twice on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket, expressed joy upon the victory and promised transparent leadership as well as cooperating with all leaders of different political parties.
NUP’s Swabiru Isabirye celebrating after being declared the winner. (Photos by Ivan Wakibi)
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Incumbent Iganga district LC5 chairperson Ezera Gabula has lost his seat to National Unity Platform (NUP)’s Swabiru Isabirye.
Isabirye was declared the winner by Electoral Commission district returning officer Assey Nekesa at 3:30am on January 23, 2026, with 42,292 votes against National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag-bearer Gabula’s 31,199. Livingstone Ndikabona, an independent candidate, trailed with 1,355 votes.
Isabirye, who had previously stood twice on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket, expressed joy upon the victory and promised transparent leadership as well as cooperating with all leaders of different political parties.
However, some NRM leaders accused their fellow leaders of openly supporting and campaigning for Isabirye against Gabula due to political differences that emerged during the party's central executive committee elections between Speaker of Parliament Anita Among and Minister Rebecca Kadaga last year.
Ezera Gabula (NRM)
NRM district party secretary expressed frustration over the matter as he alleged that almost all the district party executive leaders supported Isabirye openly to the extent of bribing voters and collecting DR forms for the opponent, 'which is regrettable'.
Meanwhile, the NUP party increased the number of councillors in the district council to eight from three and took all the slots in Iganga municipality.