By Aggrey Twesigye
At least thirteen incumbent Members of Parliament in the Ankole sub-region lost their seats in the 2026 general elections, signaling a major political shake-up across several districts.
In Mbarara City, Mbarara City North MP Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari lost his seat to NRM flag bearer Christopher Bakashaba in a closely contested race. Rukaari, who contested as an independent after losing in the NRM primaries, polled 4,802 votes, while Bakashaba garnered 5,478 votes.
In the same city, Mbarara City Woman MP Ritah Atukwase Bwahika was defeated after polling 22,526 votes, losing to NRM’s Charity Kibaaju Kamuhanda, who secured 23,413 votes.
In Mitooma District, incumbent Woman MP Juliet Agatha Bashiisha lost her seat after polling 23,773 votes, defeated by Rebecca Kyarampe, who garnered 43,684 votes. In Ruhinda South, incumbent MP Capt. Donozio Kahonda was defeated by Arthur Atuheire Kazoora.
In Buhweju District, Francis Mwijukye of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) lost his seat after 15 years in Parliament. Mwijukye polled 9,790 votes, losing to first-time entrant Engineer Zadock Mutekaga, who secured 11,322 votes. The Buhweju West seat also changed hands, with NRM’s Johnbosco Kariisa defeating incumbent Ephraim Biraro after polling 15,786 votes against Biraro’s 9,874 votes.
In Ntungamo Municipality, incumbent Yona Musinguzi lost after polling 2,824 votes, defeated by independent candidate Gerard Karuhanga, who secured 3,967 votes.
In Ruhaama County, Beatrice Rwakimari won the parliamentary seat after polling 30,813 votes, defeating incumbent Henry Nkwasibwe Zinkuratire, who garnered 19,891 votes.
In Sheema South, Eliajah Mushemeza Dickens lost his seat to Ephraim Kamuntu, who polled 15,337 votes against Mushemeza’s 10,417 votes.
In Rwampara District, incumbent Rwampara East MP Julius Tusiime Karuhanga was defeated by former MP Charles Ngabirano, who secured 12,306 votes against Karuhanga’s 11,669 votes.
In Mbarara District, two incumbents were voted out. Woman MP Margaret Rwebyambu lost after polling 16,021 votes, defeated by Loydah Kyarikunda Muhimbura, who garnered 31,364 votes. In Kashari North, Bazil Bataringaya lost to Patrick Musinguzi, who polled 11,904 votes against Bataringaya’s 10,308 votes.
In Rubirizi District, incumbent Katerera County MP Kato Muhamad lost his seat after polling 5,376 votes, defeated by independent candidate Boaz Atwijukire, who secured 16,303 votes.
