Minister Victoria Rusoke loses as Ruhunda and Irene retain seats in Kabarole NRM primaries
Rusoke was defeated by inexperienced newcomer Pamera Kirungi with 14,224 votes. Rusoke got 11610 votes.
Local government state minister Victoria Businge Rusoke was defeated by inexperienced newcomer Pamera Kirungi. (Courtesy photos)
By Jonan Tusingwire
Journalists @New Vision
________________
NRM primaries saw bigwigs in Kabarole district lose their bid to retain the party flag for the 2026 general election to new individuals on the political scene.
Among those who lost is local government state minister Victoria Businge Rusoke, who doubles as the district Woman Member of Parliament.
Rusoke was defeated by inexperienced newcomer Pamera Kirungi with 14,224 votes. Rusoke got 11610 votes.
Pamera previously worked as Kabarole district local government accountant and Fort Portal city council as the senior finance officer.
In the same election, Kabarole district LC5 chairperson Richard Rwabuhinga, also the former Uganda Local Governments’ Association (ULGA) president lost to Joseph Mugenyi.
Mugenyi, born on April 30, 1970, got 23,513 votes, while Rwabuhimnga got 14,916 votes.
Mugenyi’s academic journey began at Nyansozi Primary School, continuing through St Mary’s Seminary, Virika where he led as football captain and Chairperson of the Young Christian Students.
He previously served as the Uganda National Students Association for Greater Kabarole and served in the student government at Makerere University Business School.
Mugisa Margaret Muhanga, Fort Portal North Division Fort Portal City (NRM).
Mugenyi has a diploma in accountancy and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance, from Makerere University Business School. He is currently pursuing his Master’s in Business Administration, with a major in Accounting.
Joseph's career with the National Water and Sewerage Corporation spans over three decades.
Incumbents win Fort Portal
In Fort Portal, incumbent City Woman Member of Parliament Irene Linda Mugisa defeated her six opponents with 9,160 votes.
Incumbent Fort Portal Central MP Alex Ruhunda also won the race for the party flag defeating five others with 4,796 votes.
He is the founding chairperson of the Parliamentary Forum for Road Safety, the chairperson of the Rwenzori MPs Forum, the vice chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Trade, Tourism and Industry and also a member of the Budget Committee in the 10th Parliament.
In Fort Portal North, health state minister in charge of primary healthcare Margaret Muhanga won the race with 7,909 votes.