Bukoto South Member of Parliament Twaha Kagabo has made a surprise U-turn, announcing he will run as an Independent candidate in the 2026 general elections, just weeks after publicly conceding defeat in the NRM primaries.
Kagabo’s latest declaration has sparked controversy, especially in light of his July 27 commitment to support the NRM flag bearer for the unity and success of the party in Bukoto South.
At the time, Kagabo had gracefully accepted the outcome of the hotly contested primaries, vowing to rally behind the winner in the interest of party cohesion. However, his tone has now dramatically shifted.
“We lost the battle for being the NRM flag bearer in Bukoto South not the war,” he said, in a strong message that now challenges the legitimacy of the very process he had previously accepted.
In his new stance, Kagabo alleges massive irregularities during the primary elections, which he says were anything but free and fair.
“There were glaring irregularities in the entire electoral process including voter intimidation, bribery, rigging, failure to use the branch voters’ register & reading of unverified DR forms at the tally,” he claimed, casting doubt on the integrity of the vote.
This reversal has prompted mixed reactions from party supporters, with some questioning his credibility for initially conceding and later backtracking, while others have rallied behind him, insisting their votes were stolen.
Kagabo says his decision to run is rooted in overwhelming public demand.
“NRM supporters in Bukoto South, Lwengo District have said that we have a duty to ensure that there are consequences to stealing votes in party primaries. They have hastened to add that their votes must count & the will of the people must prevail. Akabonera Mupiira. Bagoba agulina,” he stated.
He has since confirmed that he will contest as an Independent NRM-leaning candidate, adopting a football as his campaign symbol, under the slogan “Akabo⚽️ner⚽️ Mupiira.”
“Your cry that I contest as an Independent NRM-leaning has been heard,” Kagabo declared.
