The January 15 general elections reshaped the political landscape of the greater Masaka sub-region, sweeping out at least 18 incumbent Members of Parliament and ushering in a new crop of legislators. The dramatic outcome marked one of the biggest electoral turnovers in the region’s recent history, with only nine of the 29 sitting MPs managing to defend their seats.

The results signaled a significant comeback for the ruling National Resistance Movement, which strengthened its grip on the sub-region by increasing its parliamentary representation from seven seats in the 2021 elections to 17. This resurgence came at the expense of the opposition, particularly the National Unity Platform, which saw its numbers drop from 11 seats after the previous polls to eight.

Masaka City was at the center of the political upheaval. Mathias Mpuuga Nsamba, leader of the newly launched Democratic Front party, was defeated in Nyendo–Mukungwe Division by NUP’s Gyaviira Lubowa Ssebina. The Democratic Front suffered another setback when its treasurer, Dr Abed Bwanika, lost the Kimanya–Kabonera Division seat to Patrick Kuteesa of NUP. In the Masaka City Woman MP contest, Juliet Nakabuye Kakande was also unseated by Rose Nalubowa of NUP, further consolidating the opposition’s foothold in the city.

In Masaka District, however, the National Resistance Movement made gains after Sarah Babirye Kityo defeated Bukoto East incumbent Ronald Evans Kanyike of NUP. The ruling party also dominated Bukomansimbi District, capturing all parliamentary positions previously held by NUP. Hassan Mukiibi Sserunjogi defeated Geoffrey Kayemba Solo, Salim Kisseka won Bukomansimbi North from Christine Ndiwalana Nandagire, and Ruth Katushabe claimed the district Woman MP seat after overcoming Veronica Nanyondo. Nanyondo has since challenged the outcome, alleging that three declaration of results forms were altered at the district tally center.

Sembabule District delivered another blow to incumbents. Florence Nambaziira of NRM defeated Mary Begumisa, who had contested as an independent after losing party primaries. In Lwemiyaga County, long-serving MP Theodore Ssekikubo lost his seat to retired Brigadier General Emmanuel Rwashande, the NRM flag bearer. Mawogola County also flipped when NUP’s Goretti Namugga was defeated by NRM’s Dez Oswaldo Byuma. Mawogola North went to Godfrey Aine Kaguta Sodo, President Yoweri Museveni’s younger brother, after the sitting MP Shartsi Musherure opted out of the race.

Lwengo District witnessed notable political shifts as well. Dr Kagabo, the Bukoto South incumbent, lost to NUP’s Hakimu Sawula. Kagabo had entered Parliament on the NUP ticket in 2021 before defecting to NRM, where he later failed to secure the party nomination. In Bukoto Mid-West, independent candidate Isaac Ssejoba was defeated by NRM’s Emmanuel Kiyimba.

In Lyantonde District, Pauline Kemirembe Kyaka, the incumbent Woman MP, was unseated by Doreen Birungi of NRM after running as an independent. Kalangala District followed a similar pattern, with independent MP Julius Mukasa Opondo losing the Bujumba constituency to NRM’s Willy Lugoloobi. In Kyamuswa County, Carol Nanyondo Birungi defeated Moses Kabuusu of the People’s Front for Freedom.

Kalungu District delivered one of the few victories for NUP, where Yusuf Kiruruta Nkerettanyi captured the Kalungu East seat from Francis Katabaazi Atongole, who had contested as an independent after missing out on the NUP ticket. Meanwhile, Kyotera District swung decisively to the ruling party as NUP MPs Geoffrey Lutaaya and John Paul Lukwago Mpalanyi lost their Kakuuto and Kyotera County seats to NRM’s Ismail Lubega Kaka and State Minister for Microfinance Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, respectively.

Despite the widespread losses, a handful of incumbents managed to survive the electoral wave. Those who retained their seats include Aisha Ssekindi in Kalungu District, Richard Ssebamala in Bukoto Central, Joan Namutaawe in Masaka District, Hellen Nakimuli in Kalangala, Cissy Namujju in Lwengo, Juliet Ssuubi Kinyamatama in Rakai, Gyaviira Semwanga in Buyamba County, Muhammad Muyanja Ssentaayi in Bukoto West, and Anifa Bangirana Kawooya in Mawogola West.

Overall, the election results underscore a profound political realignment in greater Masaka, highlighting voter appetite for change while reasserting the ruling party’s influence in a region long considered an opposition stronghold.