Why many incumbents lost NRM primaries in western Uganda

The wave of change in the NRM primaries did not only affect MPs, but lower councils too as some district chairpersons and councillors lost their flag bearer positions to new faces.

The just concluded NRM party primaries have seen some long-serving incumbents lose their flag bearer positions to new faces.

The reasons vary, ranging from poor service delivery to protest vote, while others lost due to demand for change by voters.

“To be honest, most incumbents have lost on principle. They promised what they could not deliver or what was not in their means,” says Mr Dan Rubombora, an opinion leader in Kabarole District, adding that, “They did not know what Parliament offers, they promised people roads, etc, and the trend will continue.”

Among the notable losers is State minister for Primary Education and Bwamba County MP, Dr Kamanda Bataringaya, who lost to Mr Gafabusa Richard, a new face in politics.

“People were tired of some of these incumbents, especially Dr Kamanda. He has been there for a long time,” says Mr Baguma Vivian Simoli, an opinion leader in Bundibugyo District.
Mr Musa Rujumba, an elder in Masindi District, says Bujenje County MP Kabakumba Masiko lost the primaries partly because she has a land conflict involving about five villages in her constituency.

But Mr Rujumba also says her implication in the UBC mast scandal could have had a part in her loss, although Ms Masiko was cleared by court over the matter.
“Having been an MP for Bujenje for three terms, people wanted to see a new face in names of Patrick Kasumba, who is young and vibrant,” Mr Rujumba adds.

Councils affected
The wave of change did not only affect MPs, but also lower councils as some district chairpersons and councillors lost the flags to new faces.

Bundibugyo District chairperson Jolly Tibemanya and his Masindi District counterpart Wilson Isingoma were some of the victims.
Mr Rujumba says Mr Isingoma took people for granted and invested little time in campaigns, adding that Masindi has not benefited much from government programmes compared with Hoima where government built a modern market and is currently building a hospital.

Mr Justus Arunga, an opinion leader in Kyenjojo District, says most incumbents lost in the primaries because they did not live to the people’s expectations.
“They did not help in infrastructural development, especially in Kyenjojo district,” Mr Arunga says.

Petitions
Five losers in the NRM primaries in Kasese District have contested the results and have petitioned the NRM electoral commission chairperson, Dr Tanga Odoi, requesting for result nullification or a recount.
Mr Erifazi Muhindi on Wednesday stormed out of the Kasese District tally centre after he lost to incumbent district chairperson Mawa Muhindo Dura.
“I have decided not to take part in receiving results that are marred by a lot of irregularities. I have already handed in my petition citing my dissatisfaction of the results. I request that those results from Bukonzo East constituency and Katwe–Kabatooro Town Council be either recounted or nullified,” Mr Muhindi said.

Defeated Busongora South NRM flag aspirant Constantine Siwako said his results were altered at the tally centre since his copies read differently.

“I will not accept such results that have just been declared where the declaration forms at the tally centre are different from what we collected from the field,” Mr Siwako claimed after he lost to the incumbent Boaz Kafuda.

Two of the Kasese District Woman MP contestants, Ms Jolly Kateeba and Peace Winfred Bukundika, lost to Jane Asiimwe Muhindo and blamed the winner for manipulating the results.

“We have evidence that our colleague handed in declaration forms whose votes exceed the number of registered voters in the registers,” Kateeba argued.

But Asiimwe attributes her victory to efforts put in and also advised those who lost to use the courts of law for redress or support her since there is no losing in the NRM party.

Most affected are Woman MPs
Save for Ntoroko Woman MP Jennifer Mujungu and Kamwenge Woman MP Dorothy Nsheija Kabareitsya, the rest lost.
They include Kyegegwa District Woman MP Flavia Rwabuhoro, Bundibugyo District Woman MP Harriet Ntabazi, Kyenjojo Woman MP Lindah Timbigamba, Kabarole Woman MP Victoria Businge and Bujenje County MP and former Information minister Kabakumba Masiko.

Lost

Those who lost in the NRM party primaries include long-serving Kitagwenda County MP Nuru Byamukama, Burahya County MP Stephen Kagwera, State minister for Primary Education Kamanda Bataringaya and Kyegegwa District Woman MP Flavia Rwabuhoro.
Others include Bundibugyo District Woman MP Harriet Ntabazi, Kyenjojo Woman MP Lindah Timbigamba, Kyaka County MP William Kwemara, Kabarole Woman MP Victoria Businge, Kasese Municipality MP James Mbahimba and Ntoroko County MP Martin Bahinduka Mugarra.

Others are Bujenje County MP and former Information minister Kabakumba Masiko, Mwenge North MP David Muhumuza, Buyaga East MP Ignatius Besisira, Masindi District chairperson Wilson Isingoma and Bundibugyo District chairsperson Jolly Tibamanya.

By Felix Basiime, Enid Ninsiima, Ruth Katusabe, Ronald Tumusiime, George Muzoora & Edison Amanyire