Political titans trounced in Masindi NRM primaries
The ruling party on July 17, 2025, held primaries in 72,000 villages across Uganda.
A polling officer counting voters. (Photo by Jackie Nambogga)
By Yosam Gucwaki
Journalists @New Vision
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Long-time known staunch National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters and seasoned politicians in Masindi district have been trounced in party primaries ahead of the 2026 general election.
The ruling party on July 17, 2025, held primaries in 72,000 villages across Uganda.
The titans who lost in these polls include former information minister Kabakumba Labwoni Masiko; Julia Bintu Lukumu, who served as Masindi District Woman MP for over 20 years; former Bunyoro affairs minister Ernest Kiiza Monday; Masindi district LC5 chairperson Cosmas Byaruhanga, who switched to Bujenje county; and former Bujenje County MP Lt. Patrick Paddy Kasumba.
District woman MP
Asiimwe Florence Akiiki, Woman Representative Masindi (NRM). (Courtesy photo)
Kabakumba, who is also the NRM chairperson in Masindi, lost (with 12,573 votes) to incumbent district Woman MP Florence Asiimwe (26,852 votes). Lukumu was the third with 9,479 votes.
Masindi Municipality
Kiiza, who was vying for MP Masindi Municipality NRM flag, lost to Federation of Uganda Football Association (FIFA) executive member Rogers Byamukama, who garnered 8,129 votes. Kiiza got 2,789 votes, while Bob Kusiima Byaruhanga had 2,319.
Bujenje MP seat
Kiiza Kenneth Nyendowoha, Bujenje County Masindi (Independent). (Courtesy photo)
Byaruhanga, who wanted the party flag for the Bujenje MP seat, lost to incumbent MP Kenneth Kiiza Nyendwoha. Nyendwoha got 8,081 votes, followed by Patrick Paddy Kasumba with 4,986, while Byaruhanga got 2,069 votes.
Buruli County
For Buruli county, Aled Ronald Akugizibwe retained his seat after trouncing four candidates with 9,147 votes, including Stephen Kabindi, who came fourth in the race of five candidates.
Akugizibwe Aled Ronald, Buruli County Masindi (Indep). (Courtesy photo)
The results were officially declared by Masindi district NRM registrar Moses Ogwang at the education hall in Masindi town on July 17, 2025, night.
He described the whole process as the most peaceful, saying no fights or injuries were reported.
"I want to thank the people of Masindi, the candidates and the security team for ensuring that we have a peaceful election," Ogwang said.
He advised that whoever wasn't satisfied with the results to petition against them, saying what was being declared wasn't final.
"Whatever we are declaring here is not final; you are free to challenge them [results] at the highest authorities," he said.
Most villages delayed voting because registrars took a long time reading the voters' names in the registers.
Voting was also characterised by a low turnout of voters across the district.