Minister Bright Rwamirama among long-serving NRM legislators facing defeat

At least five senior NRM legislators from western Uganda, including a minister, were by last night staring humiliating defeats in the face as final results of the ruling party’s controversial parliamentary and district council primary elections were being tallied.

Provisional results showed that the Agriculture State Minister, Maj. Bright Rwamirama, was facing the prospect of defeat in Isingiro North. Others facing a similar fate last night were long serving NRM legislators Nathan Byanyima (Bukanga), Beatrice Rwakimari (Ntungamo Woman), Robert Kashaija (Kazo) and Ntungamo LC V Chairman John Wycliffe Karazarwe.

Old guard falls
The latest list of MPs trailing in the west joins senior legislators Winfred Masiko (Rukungiri Woman), Guma Gumisiriza (Ibanda North), Tom Kyahurwenda (Buhaguzi), and Beatrice Byenkya (Hoima Woman), who were losing in the initial provisional results in what portends a wave of internal change in a region that has traditionally been an NRM stronghold.

But there were equally emphatic leads for some of the NRM old guard. First Lady Janet Museveni won with 97 per cent of the votes in Ruhama while Agriculture Minister Hope Mwesigye was leading in 20 out of 22 rural sub-counties in Kabale Woman race.

Kazo incumbent and Transport Minister, Eng. John Nasasira, was by press time leading his three rivals who include outgoing Western Youth MP, Robert Kashaija. One of the MPs on the losing end, Mr Kyahurwenda, was yesterday under detention by police for alleged involvement in election malpractices in his constituency.

Provisional results
Results released yesterday showed that in Ntungamo District, Woman MP Rwakimari was trailing with 21 per cent against Naome Kabasharira’s 69 per cent while LC V Chairman Karazarwe had only 40 per cent against the 60 per cent of his opponent, Dennis Singhache, the current district speaker.
In Bukanga County, provisional results showed incumbent Nathan Byanyima had 19,077 votes against the 28,291 of his challenger Gregory Matovu.

In Isingiro North, Maj. Rwamirama had taken the sub-counties of Masha and Birere while Dr Mugyenyi had won in the other four sub-counties. Meanwhile provisional results announced yesterday indicated that in Kinkiizi East, Mr Chris Baryomunsi had 20,388 votes while his rival Rev. Kenneth Kanyankole had got 10,227 votes. For the Kanungu District woman MP seat, Elizabeth Karungi Baikirize got 26,458 votes while Ruth Karungi ukahirwa has got 18,073 and the incumbent Jacqueline Kyatuheire has got 21,209 votes.

OTHERS IN THE LEAD

Janet Museveni (Ruhama)
Dennis Singhache (Ntungamo LCV)
Naome Kabasharira (Ntungamo)
Ponsiano Mugyenyi (Isingiro North)
Paula Turyahikayo (Rubabo)
Chris Baryomunsi (Kinkizi East)
Elizabeth Karungi (Kanungu MP)
Hope Mwesigye (Kabale Woman)
Musalu Wadada (Budadiri East)
Khidu Makubuya (Katikamu South)
Abraham Byandala (Katikamu North)
Rebecca Nalwanga (Luweero Woman)
Peter Odok W’od Ocheng (Agago)
James Nock Kidega (Pader LCV)
Kibale Wambi (Sironko LCV)
Lilian Adong (Nwoya Woman)
Rebecca Otengo (Alebtong Woman)
Hamson Obua (Ajuri)
Sam Engola (Erute South)
Hillary Onek (Lamwo)
Inyasio Mudimi (Bulambuli County)
Flavia Rwabuhoro (Kyegegwa MP)
Norman Birungi (Kyegegwa LCV)
William Kwemara (Kyaka County)
Faisal Kikulukunyu (Butambala)
Sarah Temulanda (Mpigi Woman)
Patrick Orech Jogo  (Lira Munic.)
Bavenuko Kyeswa (Butambala LCV)
John Luwakanya (Mpigi LCV)
Ruth Adupa (Dokolo Woman)
Nixon Owole (Adjumani LCV)

THOSE TRAILING

Beatrice Rwakimari (Ntungamo MP)
David Ndibize (Rubabo)
Gad Rugaju (Kinkizi West)
Ken Kanyankole (Kinkizi East)
Jackline Kyatuhaire (Kanungu MP)
Godfrey Karabenda (Kanungu LCV)
Ronah Ninsima (Kabale Woman)
Cosmas Mafabi (Budadiri East)
Erasmus Mugerwa (Katikamu South)
Musa Kakande (Katikamu North)
Victoria Mwaka (Luweero Woman)
Grace Nambozo (Bulambuli Woman)
John Gimanga (Bulambuli County)
Charles Masudo (Bulambuli County)
Justus Karuhanga (Ruhama)
Tony Awany (Nwoya)
George Mwaka (Nwoya)
Molly Kia (Dokolo Woman)
Abura Kene (Ajuri) 
Acen Christine (Alebtong Woman)
Ibrahim Kadunabbi (Butambala)
Moses Lukomwa (Butambala LCV)
Mutebi Kityo (Mpigi LCV)