THROUGH QUESTIONABLE METHODS: Meet the seven NRM unopposed winners joining the 12th Parliament

Seven NRM candidates, including Speaker Anita Among and her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, have secured seats in the 12th Parliament unopposed after the nomination deadline.

Seven NRM candidates, including Speaker Anita Among and her deputy, Thomas Tayebwa, have secured seats in the 12th Parliament unopposed after the nomination deadline.

Seven candidates from the National Resistance Movement party have secured their seats in the 12th Parliament without facing any opposition following the close of the national parliamentary nomination exercise last week.

Under Section 31 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, an unopposed candidate is declared the duly elected member of Parliament for that area, effective on the polling date of Jan. 15, 2026.

“To be unopposed is provided for in the law,” said Julius Mucunguzi, the Electoral Commission spokesperson. He noted the unopposed members would be formally declared next year.

The list of the seven NRM members who were confirmed unopposed includes both senior leaders of Parliament and others securing their second or first terms:

Parliament’s Top Leadership Secures Seats

Anita Annet Among (Bukedea District Woman MP)

Thomas Tayebwa (Ruhinda North County)

Speaker Among and Deputy Speaker Tayebwa were among the first to be confirmed, both securing their positions for a second consecutive term. Ms. Among, who has represented Bukedea District since 2016, faced no opposition in her home district, with no other aspirant returning nomination papers. Similarly, Mr. Tayebwa remained unchallenged in Ruhinda North County.

Returning Members

Moses Magogo (Budiope East)

Lillian Paparu Obiale (Arua District Woman MP)

Jeniva Arinaitwe Nalongo (Rubirizi District Woman MP)

Moses Magogo, who also serves as president of the Federation of Uganda Football Associations and husband of the speaker, was declared unopposed for his second term representing Budiope East County.

In Arua District, Lillian Paparu Obiale was confirmed to retain her Woman MP seat. The district returning officer confirmed that no challenger appeared for nomination against Ms. Paparu, who first joined elective politics in 2021.

Jeniva Arinaitwe Nalongo emerged as the sole nominee for the Rubirizi District Woman MP seat. According to the returning officer, three people picked up nomination papers, but only Ms. Arinaitwe submitted hers before the deadline. Her victory follows a win in the NRM primaries against the former Woman MP and another two-time contestant.

Newcomer and Longtime Supporter

Emmanuel Banya (Koboko County)

Ruth Mushabe Rujoki (Kiruhura District Woman MP)

Emmanuel Banya, a newcomer to elective politics, was declared unopposed for Koboko County. The district returning officer said no one appeared for nomination against Mr. Banya by the 5 p.m. deadline.

Ruth Mushabe Rujoki, 44, was confirmed unopposed for the Kiruhura District Woman MP seat. Ms. Mushabe defeated incumbent Jovanice Rwenduru in the NRM primaries, and Ms. Rwenduru later withdrew from the race on Oct. 7. The district returning officer reported that the nomination exercise concluded peacefully.

While the unopposed wins are provided for in the law, the circumstances under which the seven legislators secured their seats have attracted some criticism, with allegations of strong-arm tactics raised in some constituencies.