Kabale Municipality NRM Chairperson elect Mr Joshua Mutekanga (right) and his deputy Ms Provia Mashemere (left). PHOTO/ROBERT MUHEREZA
Veteran politicians have made a comeback in elective politics after winning in the ongoing National Resistance Movement (NRM) internal elections. Mr Mamerito Mugerwa was once the mayor of Kira Town Council before it was elevated to municipality status.
At the same time, Mr Stephen Kabuye was the Entebbe Municipality Mayor for almost two decades, rising from LC I to municipality mayoral position (1992 to 2011). On Monday, Mugerwa sailed through unopposed to become NRM’s chairperson for Kiira Municipality, the same with Mr Kabuye for Entebbe Municipality. Mr Kabuye urged all those elected in NRM’s internal elections to serve the people and not themselves.
“The voting, which has seen different sides agree, shows the residents of Entebbe have exhibited political maturity, and I ask you to continue voting the same way. I inform all those who have been voted, that you haven’t been elected to individually benefit from the position, but you have been voted to be servants of the people and to ensure that we promote our NRM party,” he said.
Mr Kabuye further urged the losers in the elections to work together to ensure the party’s victory in next year’s forthcoming general elections. Former Entebbe Municipality MP Rosemary Tumusiime said to avoid conflicts, the party members, through consensus, agreed on who should vie for the different positions.
“The competition was there, but most of the positions were taken through consensus, we know many people would like to get positions at the different levels which is not possible, it has been a consensus up to the municipality level and we hope the same will continue up to the district,” she said.
In Wakiso’s Nansana Municipality, Mr Robert Mutte Maseruka was voted the chairperson of NRM, replacing the incumbent, Mr Ali Kyagulanyi. In Masaka City, elections were peaceful in the two municipalities (Kimaanya–Kabonera and Nyendo-Mukungwe) that make up the city. In Nyendo-Mukungwe Municipality, the race was between two candidates, but Godfrey Ntale pulled out of the race at the eleventh hour, giving Mr George Kiberu a chance to sail through unopposed. In Kimaanya- Kabonera Municipality, Mr Vincent Bukenya defeated his opponent.
Mr Vincent collected 187 votes while Mr Hamid gathered 133 votes. Mr Najib Kibirige, the Masaka District NRM deputy registrar, said participation in elections at the municipality level was overwhelming, unlike the polls at the lower level. “We also hope that the turnout during the polls at the district level on May 23 will be good,” he said In both Mukono and Lugazi municipalities, the winners, Mr John Bosco Wamala and Mr Sam Busulwa went through unopposed, respectively. The same happened in the municipalities of Mityana and Mubende where Mr Ronald Kabango and Mr Joshua Ssekatte sailed through unopposed as NRM chairpersons.
In Jinja City, Mr Magidu Musongola emerged victorious in the race for NRM Chairperson of Jinja South Municipality, securing 212 votes amid scenes of jubilation. He was followed by the Incumbent Mayor, Mr Nasser Ashiraf, who garnered 116 votes, while Mr Wageda Terkyai trailed with 4 votes. In a move that drew admiration across the political divide, Mr Nasser graciously conceded defeat and declared that he would not challenge the results in court, emphasising the need to preserve unity and cohesion within the party.
“I have heard the voice of the people, and I respect their will through the ballot,” he said. “For the love of our party and the stability of our city, I will not file any petitions. Our unity is more important than my ambition,” he said In Kamuli Municipality, Mr Eric Mbiira Mugabi becomes the NRM chairperson, and he has rallied all committee members to intensify mobilisation and ensure that Kamuli District Woman legislator, Ms Rebecca Kadaga, retains her seat as second vice chairperson (female) on the Central Executive Committee (CEC) of NRM.
“These elections have a strong bearing on the critical CEC elections ahead, where we need a stronger team to ensure Mama Kadaga retains her seat, so we should not merely elect but look forward to assembling a winning team of people with a National outlook,” he said In Jinja City, Mr Michael Waiswa was elected party NRM chairperson for Jinja North Division, while in Iganga Municipality, Mr Abasi Obama Sajjabi is the new NRM chairperson. Mr Saidi Kagera went through unopposed as Bugiri Municipality, while Mr Rajabu Yusuf Kirunda is the party chairperson-elect for Busia Municipality.
In Kabale Municipality, the chairperson of the Kabale Central Market Vendors Association, Mr Joshua Mutekanga, was elected unopposed for the municipality NRM party chairmanship, while Ms Provia Mashemere was also elected unopposed to the post of the vice chairperson. The former private secretary for President Museveni on Youth Affairs, Ms Brenda Kiconco, was also elected unopposed to the post of vice chairperson Youth League of Kabale Municipality.
"Losers and winners in all the NRM party grassroots elections must remain united if we are to defeat candidates from other political parties in the forthcoming general elections," Mr Mutekanga said.
In Mbarara, Mr Mwine Mpaka, the incumbent chairperson for Mbarara City South Division, was re-elected unopposed. He is also a Member of Parliament representing Mbarara Division in Mbarara City. "I think it is because I have delivered on service delivery, that is why I have come up unopposed," he said. Mr Aaron Kanyikirize was elected the NRM Division chairperson for Mbarara City North Division. “The elections were fair and transparent. If we continue with this maturity in elections as the NRM party, we set an example to others (parties),” he said.
Grassroot elections
The NRM, which has dominated Uganda’s politics since 1986 under President Museveni, is currently conducting grassroots elections ahead of the 2026 general elections. Internal elections kicked off on May 6 with members electing their village leaders before proceeding to parish, sub-county, and municipal levels.
However, in some areas, the elections have been marred by violence, leading to the death of three people and cancellations of results. These disputes in several areas have already raised concerns over transparency and internal democracy within the party. On Monday, the party’s electoral commission announced that they had postponed the party district and city structure elections in the Bunyoro region till May 27.
On July 16, party members will be electing party parliamentary flag bearers.
