Sixteen incumbent members of parliament in the Ankole sub-region lost their seats in last Thursday’s general elections, marking a significant political shift.
Of the 13 districts, including Mbarara City, only Kazo and Kiruhura did not witness incumbent MPs losing seats, excluding those eliminated in the NRM primaries.
Key constituency outcomes include:
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Ntungamo Municipality: Yonah Musinguzi lost with 2,824 votes to Gerald Karuhanga, who garnered 3,967 votes.
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Mbarara City North: Robert Rukaari lost with 4,802 votes to NRM’s Christopher Bakashaba, who received 5,478 votes.
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Mbarara Woman MP: Ritah Atukwasa Bwahika lost with 22,526 votes to NRM’s Charity Kibaaju, who garnered 23,413 votes.
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Sheema South: Prof. Elijah Dickens Mushemeza lost to former minister Prof. Ephraim Kamuntu.
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Mitooma – Ruhinda South: Capt. (Rtd) Donozio Kahonda lost with 9,793 votes to NRM’s Arthur Kazoora, who polled 12,163 votes.
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Mitooma Woman MP: Juliet Agasha Bashiisha, who ran as an independent after losing the NRM flag, lost with 23,773 votes to NRM’s Rebecca Kyarampe, who received 43,684 votes.
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Rubirizi – Katerera County: Muhammad Katoto lost with 5,736 votes to independent Boaz Atwijukire, who garnered 16,303 votes.
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Ibanda North: David Kyooma Xavier Akampurira lost with 10,154 votes to NRM’s David Guma Gumisiriza, who polled 13,496 votes.
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Buhweju County: PFF’s Francis Mwijukye lost to NRM’s Zadok Mutekanga.
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Buhweju West: Incumbent Ephraim Biraaro lost with 9,874 votes to NRM’s John Bosco Kariisa, who received 15,786 votes.
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Isingiro West: Reuben Arinaitwe lost with 7,347 votes to Anthony Tumwesigye, who polled 8,713 votes.
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Bukanga North (Isingiro Woman MP): Clare Mugumya lost with 740 votes to incumbent NRM Nathan Byanyima, who garnered 11,228 votes.
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Rwampara East: Julius Tusiime lost with 11,669 votes to former MP Charles Ngabirano, who received 12,306 votes.
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Mbarara Woman MP: Lydah Kyarikunda (NRM) defeated Margret Ayebare Rwebyambu, 31,364 to 16,021 votes.
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Kashari North: Basil Bataringaya lost with 10,303 votes to Patrick Musinguzi, who garnered 11,904 votes.
The election results reflect a broad reshaping of parliamentary representation in the Ankole sub-region, with the ruling NRM and a few independents making significant gains at the expense of long-serving incumbents.
Analysts note that the high number of sitting MPs losing their seats signals a shift in voter sentiment across the region.
