Bukoto South MP, Twaha Kagabo has announced that he will not be seeking re-election as an independent candidate following his defeat in the recently concluded NRM primaries.
Kagabo, who once served under the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) before defecting to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), made the declaration while addressing supporters in Bukoto South. He had just lost the party primary to Hajj Muyanja Mbabaali, a former MP for the area.
“I want to inform everybody who is here, including my brother Hajj Mbabaali, that I will not contest as an independent candidate in 2026 or even support anybody outside of the NRM party,” Kagabo declared.
Kagabo, who garnered 2,501 votes against Mbabaali’s commanding 4,965, emphasized that his focus now shifts to reconciling his supporters with the party and ensuring they remain committed to the NRM.
“I also inform you that my only job now is to go back to my voters and encourage them, especially those who are heartbroken following our defeat. I will also let them know officially that I am not coming back as an independent,” he added.
The NRM primary race for Bukoto South drew four candidates; Mbabaali, Kagabo, Gonzaga Mutesasira (534 votes), and Rogers Matovu (37 votes). Despite isolated concerns from his camp, Kagabo lauded the process for being largely peaceful and credible.
“The election was peaceful, and I thank all who participated in the race for making sure that it all went well and Bukoto South did not get a bad image as we saw in other constituencies,” he said.
Having won the Bukoto South seat in 2021 on a NUP ticket before defecting to the NRM, Kagabo’s journey has been a politically dynamic one.
“I heard that there are some of my supporters who were unhappy with the results and threatened to quit the party, but it is my job to go to them and entice them not to back any other party from the NRM,” he assured.
Kagabo pledged his full support for both Hajj Mbabaali and President Museveni in the upcoming general elections, saying he would actively campaign for their victory.
