Hajji Abubaker Walubi, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairperson for Iganga District, has officially declared he will not run as an independent candidate in the upcoming general elections after losing the NRM flag for the LC5 chairperson race to Gabula Ezera.
Gabula clinched the party ticket with 50,649 votes, significantly ahead of Walubi, who polled 22,308 votes in a hotly contested and at times tense primary election.
Speaking to journalists, Walubi congratulated Gabula and pledged his full support ahead of the 2026 general elections.
“Firstly, I congratulate Mr. Gabula Ezera for winning the LC5 party elections. Despite everything that happened in the entire process, I declare my support for him as we face other parties in the upcoming general elections,” Walubi said.
The Iganga LC5 primary was one of the most fiercely contested races in the Busoga sub-region, marred by clashes at several polling stations between supporters and security forces. Despite the tensions, Walubi urged calm and unity, emphasizing that party cohesion must come first.
Responding to pressure from sections of the party particularly supporters of First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga who have demanded he apologize for backing Speaker Anita Among in the CEC race, Walubi was unapologetic.
“To anyone expecting an apology you will not get it. I have no reason to apologize. I harmed no one. Supporting Anita Among is not a crime, and I have the right to back whoever I choose,” he declared.
Looking ahead to the 2026 polls, Walubi reaffirmed his commitment to the NRM and urged all party members to support flag bearers and avoid running as independents, a trend he warned could fracture party unity.
“I will support only NRM flag bearers in the general elections. Running as an independent after losing primaries weakens our party and betrays the collective will of our members,” he said.
His decision is being hailed by many in the district as a model of political discipline in a period where internal party disputes have increasingly spilled into the public domain.
