Former ministers and MPs stage successful comebacks in latest polls

Veteran politicians including Norbert Mao, Henry Tumukunde, Ephraim Kamuntu and Gerard Karuhanga have reclaimed their seats in the latest parliamentary elections. Read more on how these seasoned leaders staged their successful political comebacks.

Several former government ministers and veteran lawmakers have reclaimed their seats in the newly elected Ugandan Parliament, a shift that political analysts say reflects both candidate resilience and shifting voter priorities.

Preliminary results from the Electoral Commission show a wave of veteran politicians successfully staging comebacks after previous defeats. Experts attribute these victories to improved grassroots mobilization and voter dissatisfaction with first-term incumbents. The returning members are expected to provide the incoming Parliament with significant institutional memory and legislative experience.

In Sheema, the National Resistance Movement swept the district. Ephraim Kamuntu won the Sheema South seat with 15,337 votes, defeating independent Elijah Dickens Mushemeza, who had 10,417 votes. In Sheema North, Elioda Tumwesigye of the NRM secured 17,506 votes to defeat independent Musinguzi Julius, who received 3,270. Adrine Katusiime Mwebesa took the Woman MP seat with 50,754 votes, beating independent Jacklet Atuhaire’s 25,795.

In Kasese, Crispus Kiyonga, a former minister and current chancellor of Makerere University, won the Bukonzo County West seat against Godfrey Atkins Katusabe of the Forum for Democratic Change.

Rukungiri Municipality saw Henry Tumukunde of the NRM win with 7,119 votes. Ingrid Turinawe of the People’s Front for Freedom followed with 6,268 votes, while independent candidates Wallen Tumwine and Richard Akanyijuka received 227 and 23 votes, respectively.

In Ruhaama County, returning officer Charles Wafula declared Beatrice Rwakimari of the NRM the winner. Rwakimari earned 30,813 votes to unseat independent incumbent Henry Nkwasibwe Zinkuratire, who had 19,891. Other candidates included Gerard Mucurezi of the Alliance for National Transformation with 822 votes, Guard Kamaradi of the National Unity Platform with 204, Alex Kamara of the Uganda People’s Congress with 202, and independents Eugene Shibar Kakajara with 163 and Richard Barungi with 106.

In Ntungamo Municipality, independent Gerard Karuhanga returned to Parliament with 3,967 votes, defeating NRM incumbent Yona Musinguzi, who had 2,824. Independent Edward Beyendeza received 476 votes and Godwin Rubahamya-Magambo of the NUP received 141.

In Lira, former state minister Samuel Engola won Erute County South with 22,404 votes for the NRM, defeating UPC candidate Jonathan Odur’s 16,066 and independent Peter Ogwang’s 465. Agnes Linda Auma won the Lira District Woman MP seat for the NRM with 42,825 votes, followed by Florence Ongina Adupa of the UPC with 25,541 and independent Margaret Ateng Otim with 860.

Norbert Mao, the minister for justice and constitutional affairs, won the Laroo-Pece Division seat in Gulu. Representing the Democratic Party, Mao received 7,359 votes to defeat incumbent Charles Onen, who had 5,562, and Tony Kitara, who had 2,867. Other candidates included Simon Opoka with 381 votes, Geoffrey Komakech with 236, Wilfred Opobo with 207, Charles Odokonyero with 77 and Samuel George Okello with 65. The division had 16,754 valid votes cast.

In Obongi, Hassan Kaps Fungaroo of the FDC unseated NRM incumbent George Bhoka. Returning officer Innocent Akena declared Fungaroo the winner with 8,503 votes to Bhoka’s 7,607.