While President Museveni cruised to a seventh term with 71 percent of the vote in Uganda’s 2026 presidential election, the parliamentary contest delivered a far more sobering verdict for several senior members of his government.
Across the country, voters rejected a number of long-serving ministers, handing them decisive defeats in what political observers describe as one of the most punishing elections for incumbents in recent years. The results exposed a growing disconnect between executive power and grassroots political support, even as the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) retained control of the presidency.
Government Chief Whip and NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, Hamson Obua, suffered a major blow after losing the Ajuri County seat in Alebtong District to UPC’s Fred Jalameso. The defeat marked one of the most symbolic upsets of the election, given Obua’s central role in managing government business in Parliament.
David Bahati, the State Minister for Trade, also fell by the wayside in Ndorwa County West, Kabale District, where he was defeated by Eliab Naturinda Mporeera. Bahati had earlier lost the NRM primaries and opted to contest as an independent, only to suffer a second defeat at the hands of the same opponent.
Northern Uganda proved particularly unforgiving. In Kitgum Municipality, Beatrice Anywar, the State Minister for Environment, lost her parliamentary seat, while in nearby Chua County, Henry Okello Oryem, the long-serving State Minister for Foreign Affairs, was also voted out.
In Moyo District, Joyce Moriku Kaducu, the State Minister for Primary Education, failed to retain her seat as Woman Member of Parliament after losing to Benedetta Chandia Kodili, the NRM flag bearer. Kaducu had earlier been defeated by Kodili in the party primaries and ran as an independent, resulting in a double loss.
Eastern Uganda also registered significant ministerial casualties. Frederick Ngobi Gume, the State Minister for Cooperatives, lost the Bulamogi North West County seat in Kaliro District. In Sironko District, Florence Nambozo, the Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, was voted out as Woman MP. Meanwhile, former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu lost the Bududa Woman MP seat to Agnes Shiuma, the NRM flag bearer.
In Lira City, a high-profile intra-government contest saw Health Minister Dr Jane Ruth Aceng defeat Gender Minister Betty Amongi to clinch the Lira City Woman MP seat, underscoring sharp competition even among senior cabinet colleagues.
In Karamoja, Peter Lokeris, the Minister for Karamoja Affairs, lost the Chekwii East County seat in Nakapiripirit District to Stephen Ilukol. In Serere District, Hellen Adoa, the State Minister for Fisheries, was defeated in the Woman MP race by independent candidate Esther Lucy Acom.
Further east, John Mulimba, the State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs, was also voted out in Samia Bugwe North.
Analysts say the losses point to voter frustration with incumbency, local service delivery gaps, and the growing influence of party primaries in shaping general election outcomes. The results are expected to influence President Museveni’s cabinet selections, as the Constitution bars non-MPs from holding most ministerial positions.
As Museveni begins another term in office, the parliamentary results suggest that while the presidency remains firmly in NRM hands, the political ground beneath many of its senior figures is shifting.
