The bigger the name, the bigger the fall. It comes with a thud.
Several political heavyweights in the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have lost key leadership positions in the party’s recently concluded structure elections, signalling a generational shift and growing discontent among the grassroots.
From western Uganda to the Busoga subregion, seasoned politicians found themselves ousted by emerging leaders in contests marked by controversy, close races, and strategic withdrawals.
In Rukungiri District, what was expected to be a dramatic showdown between two retired army generals ended with Lt Gen Henry Tumukunde withdrawing from the race for NRM District Chairperson.
Tumukunde, who was to face off with Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi, announced his withdrawal on X (formerly Twitter), citing electoral malpractice.
“I have decided to withdraw from the Rukungiri District NRM Chairperson election, in protest of the irregularities witnessed during the process. This decision comes after serious reflection. My commitment to serve the people of Rukungiri remains unwavering. More details to follow,” Tumukunde wrote.
Following his exit, Muhwezi was declared unopposed, a development that drew criticism from some local party members who had anticipated a competitive contest.
Meanwhile, in Kasese District, longtime political fixture Dr Crispus Kiyonga, who also serves as Makerere University Chancellor, suffered a major blow after being defeated by Ambassador James Mbahimba,
Uganda’s former envoy to DR Congo. Mbahimba won with 948 votes to Kiyonga’s 519, ending Kiyonga’s more than 20-year tenure as district chairperson.
“I accept the outcome and will support the new leadership,” Kiyonga said in a concession speech.
“I believe in the strength and continuity of our party, and I urge all members to rally behind Chairman Mbahimba.”
Analysts saw the defeat as a consequence of political fatigue and a call for rejuvenation from the party base. Mbahimba echoed that sentiment: “This victory is not just mine—it belongs to every member who dreams of a stronger, more united party.”
The trend repeated in central Uganda, where former State Minister and Kayunga District Woman MP Aidah Nantaba suffered another resounding defeat at the hands of incumbent Moses Karangwa.
In a race held under tight security at Kayunga Central Police Station compound, Karangwa won decisively with 415 votes.
Nantaba received just 38 votes, while another challenger, Livingstone Kyagaba, managed only three. A fourth candidate, Agatha Nalubwama, had earlier pulled out and urged voters to act freely.
Though she conceded defeat, Nantaba cried foul, accusing Karangwa of manipulating the election and cited voter intimidation as well as electoral irregularities.
Karangwa dismissed the allegations and promised to work for unity within the district.
In the Elgon region, Elgon County MP Ignatius Wamakuyu Mudimi—once considered a dominant figure—was beaten by incumbent Paul Kimamati, who secured 550 votes against Mudimi’s 364.
The result confirmed what observers have noted for years: a decline in Mudimi’s regional clout.
“Mudimi’s grip on Elgon politics has been slipping, and this election just confirmed it,” one analyst remarked.
The wave of political upheaval extended to Busoga subregion, where Namutumba MP Mariam Naigaga was unseated by Assistant RDC Simon Menya.
Naigaga protested the vote, which extended past 7pm in breach of the electoral schedule, but District Registrar Bovan Magobi stood by the process and declared Menya the winner.
In Luuka District, Woman MP Esther Mbayo also faced defeat, losing the position of Women League Chairperson for Irongo Sub-county to her rival Annet Nabirye.
Nabirye claimed 48 votes against Mbayo’s 17 and has since announced her intention to challenge Mbayo in the 2026 party primaries for the parliamentary seat.
The outcome of the structure elections paints a portrait of a ruling party in flux, where age, seniority, and past influence no longer guarantee dominance.
With younger contenders gaining ground and regional grievances playing out at the ballot box, the results could foreshadow deeper shifts ahead of the 2026 general elections.