NRM Primaries: List of Flag Bearers Elected for 2026 General Elections

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party conducted its highly anticipated party primaries on 17th July 2025 to select parliamentary flag bearers ahead of the 2026 general elections. The exercise, held nationwide, determined candidates for Woman MP and Constituency MP positions across districts and municipalities.

The primaries attracted widespread attention as incumbent Members of Parliament (MPs), ministers, and new entrants battled for the party's endorsement. While some heavyweights reaffirmed their popularity, others were swept aside by emerging political forces.

Key Winners:

Lydia Wanyoto Mutende – Mbale City Woman MP

Miriam Mukhaye – Mbale District Woman MP

Masaba Muhamood – Bungokho Central

Biara Emmanuel Wepukhulu – Bulambuli County

Massa Moses – Elgon County, Bulambuli

Fredrick Ruhindi – Nakawa East

Anderson Burora – Nakawa West

Phiona Nyamutoro – Nebbi District Woman MP

Doreen Keita Kagabi – Makindye West MP

Daniel Kananura – Kira Municipality MP

Minsa Kabanda – Kampala Central MP

Sarah Babirye Kityo – Bukoto East MP

Mariam Seif – Iganga Woman MP Hajji

Ojasi Swaibu – Iganga Municipality

Thomas Tayebwa – Ruhinda North, Mitooma District

Anita Among

– Bukedea District Woman MP (unopposed)

Matia Kasaija – Buyanja County, Kibaale

Jim Muhwezi – Rujumbura County, Rukungiri

Gen Henry Tumukunde – Rukungiri Municipality

Kahinda Otafiire – Ruhinda County Arthur Kazoora – Ruhinda South

Frank Tumwebaze – Kibale East

Dickson Kateshumbwa – Sheema Municipality

Elioda Tumwesigye – Sheema North

Adrine Mwebesa – Sheema Woman MP

Ephraim Kamuntu – Sheema South

Micheal Mawanda – Igara East Counsel

Cohen Kyampene – Igara West

Rebecca Kyarampe Namanya – Mitooma District Woman MP

David Kabanda – Kasambya County

Steven Shyaka Gashaija – Entebbe Municipality

Moses Ali – East Moyo County, Adjumani

Beatrice Atim Anywar – Kitgum Municipality

Dr. Charles Ayume – Koboko Municipality

Martin Mapenduzi – Gulu West MP

Sam Engola – Erute South

Hamson Obua – Ajuri County

Okot Boniface Henry – Kole South 

Elvis Twenda – Ndorwa East

Byamungu Micheal Turyamureba – Kabale Municipality

Kamuntu Moses Mwongyera – Rubanda West

Henry Musasizi Aliganyira – Rubanda East

Leo Mfitimana – Kisoro Municipality

Kwizera Edie Wagahungu – Bukimbiri County

James Nsababuturo – Bufumbira East

Alex Seruganda Niyonsaba – Bufumbira South

Kiconco Patrick Katabazi – Rukiga County

Mathius Rwabugumi – Rubabo County

Ndungutse John Ngaruye – Kinkizi West

Baromyunsi Chris – Kinkizi East

Jacqueline Amongin – Ngora District Woman MP

Achayo Juliet Lodou – Ngora County

Hon. Engeku – Kapir County

Christine Apolot – Kumi District Woman MP

Ochom Richard – Kumi Municipality

Okaasai Sidronius Opolot – Kumi County

Kedi Samuel – Kanyum County

Hellen Adoa – Serere District Woman MP

Okabe – Serere County

Ikojo John Bosco – Bukedea County

OGWANG (Minister) – Ngariam County

EDIAU SAMUEL – Amuria County

Jessica Alupo – Katakwi Woman MP (also the Vice President)

Rebecca Kadaga – Kamuli District Woman MP

Annet Nabirye – Luuka Woman MP

Moses Balyeku –

Jinja West

Mbaziira Richard – Jinja South East

Monica Namukose – Jinja District Woman MP

Noor Nakato – Butambala Woman MP

Godfrey Bavekuno Mafumu Kyeswa – Butambala MP

Minister Judith Nabakooba – Mityana Woman MP

Vincent Nyanzi – Busujju County

Esther Ndyanabo – Mityana Municipality

Arinaitwe Jeniva Nalongo – Rubirizi Woman MP

Cissy Namujju Dionizia – Lwengo District Woman MP

Moses Magogo – Budiope East

Milly Babalanda – Budiope West

Wamani Jonah Byakutaga – Hoima East City MP

Herbert Ariko – Gweri County

Notable Losers:

Twaha Kagabo – Bukoto South, Lwengo

Charles Mwanguhya – Burahya County

Asiimire Mackline – Igara West

Winfred Bagaaya Akiiki – Fort Portal City Woman MP

Joyce Moriku Kaducu – Moyo Woman MP

Esther Mbayo – Luuka District Woman MP

Nathan Igeme Nabeta – Jinja South East

Minister Peter Lokeris – Chekwii East

Hussein Hudu – Mbale Northern Division

Theodore Ssekikubo – Lwemiyaga

Incumbents Still Strong:

Prominent ministers like Jessica Alupo, Robinah Nabbanja, and Jim Muhwezi sailed through with comfortable wins.

New Faces Rise: 

The emergence of young politicians such as Anderson Burora, Doreen Keita Kagabi, and Sylvia Katooko shows a shifting base within the party.

Western and Teso sub-regions had the highest number of influential flag bearers, reinforcing NRM’s traditional strongholds.

Shock Defeats:

Esther Mbayo and Nathan Nabeta’s losses in Luuka and Jinja respectively raised eyebrows given their national stature.

 As the NRM finalizes the list of flag bearers, the party gears up for the 2026 general elections with a renewed strategy to retain its parliamentary majority. More updates are expected as vote recounts and appeals are addressed.

This article will be updated as more results come in.