Ruyondo Defeats Kibowa as NRM Elects Women’s Council Flagbearers

KAMPALA — The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission has elected Ann Ruyondo Lumumba as the party’s flagbearer for the position of Chairperson of the National Women’s Council, following a closely watched internal electoral exercise in Kampala.

Ruyondo secured a decisive victory after polling 109 votes, defeating the incumbent, Farida Kibowa, who garnered 25 votes.

The election was part of the NRM’s internal process to select candidates who will carry the party flag in the forthcoming National Women’s Council elections.

Four positions were contested during the exercise, including Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary for Finance and Secretary for Publicity.

In the race for Vice Chairperson, Hon. Agnes Kirabo emerged victorious with 81 votes, defeating Janipher Kengaju Akiiki, who polled 32 votes, and Sheebah Nagudi Muloni, who received three votes.

Meanwhile, Hope Nakunda was elected as the NRM flagbearer for the position of Secretary for Finance, while Among Shakila Mwenyi was chosen as the party’s flagbearer for the position of Secretary for Publicity.

The successful candidates will now represent the ruling party in the National Women’s Council elections scheduled for Friday.

The NRM Electoral Commission Chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi, who presided over the electoral exercise, commended the delegates and voters for maintaining discipline throughout the process.

“I am happy that we have at last chosen leaders of your choice who will represent the NRM in the Friday national elections,” Dr. Tanga said.

He said the party leadership would fully rally behind the candidates selected through the internal process as they prepare to face candidates from other political parties and independent contenders.

“The NRM party will, with its full force, back our ticket holders at the national level to ensure we defeat the opposition candidates and the independents,” Tanga added.

The election of the four flagbearers brings the NRM’s internal selection process for the National Women’s Council leadership closer to conclusion as the party turns its attention to the national electoral contest.

The National Women’s Council is expected to play an important role in mobilising and representing women across the country, making the upcoming elections significant for political parties seeking to strengthen their structures and influence within women’s leadership.

The NRM Women’s League Chairperson, Hon. Adrine Kobusigye, congratulated the newly elected flagbearers upon their victory and called upon all party members and candidates who participated in the primaries to remain united behind the party's chosen team.

Kobusigye said the conclusion of the internal election should mark the beginning of a united campaign as the NRM prepares for the final national elections.

“I hope everyone is satisfied with the process and therefore nobody will come out to contest as an independent or even sponsor one. Let us remain united and mobilise to pull off the final win on Friday,” Kobusigye said.

She cautioned unsuccessful aspirants against returning to the race as independent candidates, arguing that such a move would undermine the unity and collective efforts of the party.

“It will be a shame for someone who went through all this process to vie as an independent,” she added.

The NRM now heads into the National Women’s Council elections with Ann Ruyondo Lumumba, Hon. Agnes Kirabo, Hope Nakunda and Among Shakila Mwenyi as its official candidates for the four respective positions.

The party leadership is expected to intensify mobilisation efforts ahead of Friday’s vote as it seeks to secure victory for its candidates and consolidate its influence within the national women’s leadership structures.

The elections also mark an important stage in the broader process of constituting Women’s Councils and Committees, with women leaders from different parts of the country expected to participate in selecting the national leadership.

With the party primaries now concluded, attention will shift to Friday's national elections, where the four NRM flagbearers will face candidates from other political parties as well as independent contestants in the race for leadership of the National Women’s Council.