The 2026 general elections redrew Busoga\u2019s political map in ways few had predicted. What unfolded across the sub-region was not a single-party sweep, but a decisive break from long-held political habits, marked by the fall of entrenched figures, the rise of youthful and unconventional leaders, and an unmistakable expansion of opposition space.<\/p>\n
At the heart of the upheaval was Bugweri County, where veteran legislator Abdul Katuntu lost his seat after 25 uninterrupted years in Parliament. His defeat by Sadala Wandera symbolised a wider rejection of political longevity without renewal. For many voters, the result reflected growing impatience with familiar names and a desire for representation that feels closer to everyday struggles.<\/p>\n
Jinja City became the epicentre of this shift. In Jinja North Division, comedian-turned-politician Hussein Muyonjo, widely known as Swengere, rode a wave of youth enthusiasm to victory on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket. His campaign, heavy on populist language and street-level mobilisation, resonated with voters who felt ignored by traditional politics.<\/p>\n
His declaration that Ugandans deserved \u201creal freedom\u201d captured the mood of many first-time and young voters.
\nNUP\u2019s momentum extended to the women\u2019s race in the city, where Sarah Lwasa Nsula defeated incumbent Manjeri Kibakutika to become Jinja City Woman MP. Kibakutika had previously been the only NUP MP from Busoga, making her loss and the party\u2019s expansion all the more striking.<\/p>\n
Elsewhere, voters signalled a willingness to think beyond party colours. Namutumba District delivered a rare clean sweep for independent candidates, while Bugweri District elected an independent Woman MP, Stella Nankwanga. These outcomes suggested that personality, local credibility and perceived independence mattered as much as party affiliation.<\/p>\n
The ruling NRM, however, proved far from defeated. It retained strongholds in Mayuge, Kaliro, Kamuli and parts of Iganga, re-electing senior figures such as Third Deputy Prime Minister Lukiya Nakadama and former Speaker Rebecca Kadaga. In Bugiri Municipality, NRM\u2019s Francis Oketcho unseated JEEMA president Asumani Basalirwa, a result that effectively eliminated JEEMA from the next Parliament.
\nBy the end of tallying, the National Unity Platform had grown from one to eight seats in Busoga, independents had asserted themselves forcefully, and the NRM had held key rural bases.<\/p>\n
The overall picture was one of fragmentation, competition and political awakening rather than dominance by any single force.<\/p>\n
List of Elected Members of Parliament from Busoga Sub-region<\/p>\n
Jinja City & Jinja District
\nJinja North Division: Hussein Muyonjo \u201cSwengere\u201d (NUP)
\nJinja South East: Paul Mwiru (NUP)
\nJinja South West: Timothy Batuwa (NUP)
\nJinja City Woman MP: Sarah Lwasa Nsula (NUP)
\nKagoma North: John Odworu (NUP)
\nWoman MP Jinja District: Peace Tibyaza (NRM)
\nBugweri District<\/p>\n
Bugweri County: Sadala Wandera
\nWoman MP: Stella Nankwanga (Independent)
\nIganga District
\nIganga Municipality: Nasser Mudiobole (NUP)
\nKigulu South: Andrew Kaluuya (NUP)
\nKigulu North: Samuel Lukunguba Muteezo (NRM)<\/p>\n
Bugiri District
\nBugiri Municipality: Francis Oketcho (NRM)<\/p>\n
Namutumba District
\nWoman MP: Betty Nakisiita (Independent)
\nBukono County: Persis Namuganza (Independent)
\nBusiiki County: Joel Waiswa (Independent)
\nBusiiki North: Yona Kayogera (Independent)
\nMayuge District<\/p>\n
Bunya West: Aggrey Bagiire (NRM)
\nBunya South: Saleh Mpata (NRM)
\nBunya East: Alex Ekoro (NRM)
\nWoman MP: Lukiya Nakadama (NRM)<\/p>\n
Kaliro District<\/p>\n
Bulamogi North: George Patrick Kasajja
\nWoman MP: Brenda Namukutu (NRM)<\/p>\n
Kamuli District
\nWoman MP: Rebecca Kadaga (NRM)
\nKamuli Municipality: Mastula Namatovu (NRM)
\nBuzaaya County: Martin Muzaale (NRM)
\nKagoma South: Matayo Bazaale (NRM)<\/p>\n
The 2026 elections marked a transition toward a more competitive, diverse, and contested parliamentary landscape\u2014one where voters demonstrated a readiness to punish longevity, reward visibility, and experiment with alternatives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The 2026 general elections redrew Busoga\u2019s political map in ways few had predicted. What unfolded across the sub-region was not a single-party sweep, but a decisive break from long-held political habits, marked by the fall of entrenched figures, the rise of youthful and unconventional leaders, and an unmistakable expansion of opposition space. At the heart […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":7895,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[730],"class_list":{"0":"post-7894","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-politics","8":"tag-busoga-subregion"},"yoast_head":"\n