Voters in Kigezi sub-region delivered a decisive message to incumbent legislators in the January 15, 2026 elections, unseating at least ten sitting Members of Parliament across Kabale, Rubanda, Rukiga, Rukungiri, and Kisoro districts.
Among the most prominent defeats was that of State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives and long-serving Ndorwa West MP David Bahati.
Contesting as an independent after losing the NRM party flag in August, Bahati garnered 17,282 votes but fell short of Eliab Naturunda Mporera, who won with 22,601 votes.
Another independent, Boaz Rugyerihe, received only 88 votes.
Analysts suggest that Bahati’s decades-long tenure may have influenced voters to seek new representation.
In Rubanda District, the Woman MP and Parliamentary Commissioner Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira, who had served for 10 years, was defeated by independent candidate Evelyne Ninsiima Kikafunda.
Akampurira received 36,846 votes compared to Kikafunda’s 48,732.
Observers linked her loss to public dissatisfaction over the parliamentary service award saga, of which she was a beneficiary.
Rukungiri District’s Woman MP seat also changed hands. Incumbent Midias Natukunda Kaharata, running as an independent, lost to NRM candidate Mary Paula Turyahikayo, who secured 59,448 votes.
Kaharata received 32,794 votes, while other contenders included Betty Muzanira of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) with 18,227 votes, Christine Tusanyuke of FDC with 844 votes, and independent Innocent Nabasa with 1,063 votes.
Rubabo County saw incumbent PFF MP Naboth Namanya defeated by NRM’s Mathias Mwesigwa Rwabugumi.
In Kabale District, Woman MP Cathrine Atwakiire Ndamira lost to Enid Origumisiriza, while long-serving Ndorwa East MP Wilfred Niwagaba was beaten by NRM candidate Protazio Begumisa.
Other incumbents who failed to retain their seats included Dr Nicholas Kamara, defeated by Andrew Aja Baryayanga in Kabale Municipality; Roland Ndyomugyenyi of Rukiga County, who lost to Patrick Kiconco Kataabazi; Moses Kamuntu, independent MP for Rubanda West, defeated by NRM’s Bruce Balaba; and John Kamara Ninzeyimana of Bufumbira North, who lost to Fortunate Habyara.
The election results reflect a notable shift in Kigezi’s political landscape, suggesting voter desire for change and renewed representation after years of entrenched incumbency.
