Maate Amisi Isahaq | Tayari News
KASESE – The National Resistance Movement (NRM) overshadowed the opposition in the recently concluded Parliamentary and Presidential elections in Kasese district. The district has been a stronghold for the opposition since the early 2000s when Dr Kiiza Besigye introduced the Reform Agenda before it became Forum for the democratic change (FDC).
The district has seen the FDC dominating the six seats of MPs, LCV seat and lower local government positions for two decades. However, in the just-concluded polls, there was a paradigm shift to NRM with overwhelming dominance.
Six NRM MP candidates won their pass to parliament after a very hotly contested election, as compared to 2016 when all six seats of MPs and LCV were taken by FDC.
The Woman MP seat that has been dominated by FDC since 2001, when Hon. Loyce Bwambale lost to Hon. Winnie Kiiza of FDC, who was in Parliament for 15 years. In 2021, Kabugho Florence also came in on the FDC ticket. But in last month’s election, she lost her seat to Sarah Ithungu Bareke of NRM, who won with 83,121 votes. Kabugho Florence garnered 54,140 votes and became the third. Sarah has become the first NRM woman MP since Uganda opened a window for multiparty dispensation.
Ali Kusemererwa, a political analyst, attributes NRM’s victory to the massive mobilisation that saw many people rally behind the flag bearer, unlike in the previous elections, where the NRM supporters would divide their loyalty and the opposition would capitalise on this to win this seat.
“This time around, the opposition as a whole got more divided as different political parties had their candidates. This divided their votes, and then NRM won.” Kusemererwa says
Mudinya Nasur attributed Sarah Ithungu’s win to her family’s contribution to development in communities. For example, Ithungu’s father sponsored the works to prevent floods during the rainy season. Because of this gesture, Ithungu’s family was seen as a saviour.
“We can’t forget what Sarah’s family did for us. Her father sponsored the excavation of a trench to divert floods that were disturbing people, and that is why we overwhelmingly voted for her.” Mudinya recalls
Bukonzo East Constituency has also been dominated by FDC for the last 20 years. Before FDC came in, the constituency was represented by Hon. Kitende Karibogha from 1996 to 2007 under the Movement system. Hon.Yokasi Bihande would then take over from Karibogha from 2007 to 2016 under the FDC ticket before Hon. Harold Tommy took over from Bihande from 2016 to 2026 under the FDC. This record has, however, been broken by Dr Monday Rude Julius, the NRM flag bearer, who won the seat with 28,195 votes against the incumbent’s 5,482 votes. The incumbent MP came fourth in the race.
According to Ali Kusemererwa, NRM managed to sweep Bukonzo constituency because the NRM government improved service delivery in the area, and people found it necessary to reward the party and the sitting government. Services include roads, bridges, schools and health facilities.
“The people of Bukonzo East wanted to appreciate the government by voting NRM massively because of the developments put in place. People have seen over four bridges constructed there. Nyabilongo Health Centre IV was also upgraded to boost health services to the people.” Kusemererwa narrated.
In Bukonzo West constituency, Dr Crispus Kiyonga was MP from 1996 to 2016 and lost to Hon. Atkins Katusabe, who has been in parliament for 10 years. In the recent election, Dr Kiyonga resurfaced and garnered 35,899 votes, winning Hon. Atkins Katusabe Godfrey, who got 26,399 votes. This constituency is one of the constituencies that haven’t been so much dominated by the opposition.
Biira Jolly, resident of Kasanga, Mpondwe-Lhubiriha town council, says Dr Kiyonga has been a key player in the politics of Bukonzo West constituency for many years and through him, the NRM government has extended services to the people. Services include Bwera general hospital, whose existence has improved health services in the area. Improved security in the area could also be one of the reasons why residents voted for NRM.
“We voted for Kiyonga because of the development which the opposition failed to deliver for 10 years. Kiyonga is the only one who can manage the security of this area. Being near the border with the DRC, our area has been exposed to unrest. People wanted an NRM-leaning leader to keep the area safe.” Biira said.
Since its creation in 2010, Kasese Municipality has had three MPs, two of whom were members of the NRM and the other is from FDC. Hon. Mbahimba James of NRM became the first MP, followed by Hon. Centenary Robert of FDC, who became MP in 2016.
Later, in 2021, Centenary lost to Kambale Ferigo of NRM. During this election, Kambale garnered 11,899 votes against his immediate rival, Francis Kithura, who got 9,787 votes. Hon. Centenary became third in the race after getting 5,141 votes.
The introduction of the Uganda Support to Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) program, which improved roads in the area, is one of the factors that won people’s hearts to support the NRM, apart from the youth skilling programs.
Busongora South has been in the balance. Hon. Kibanzanga Christopher, who was FDC by then, became MP in 2010, but the seat was taken over by Hon. Kafuda Boaz of NRM, who was in parliament up to 2016 when Kathika Mbaju Jackson of FDC took over from him and was in the house up to 2021 when Gideon Mujungu of NRM won the election.
He, however, didn’t make it in the recently concluded election after he was defeated by Mulindwa David Isimbwa of NRM after garnering 10,845 votes, beating Mbaju Jackson Kathika, who had this time contested on the NUP ticket with a difference of 85 votes.
Mujungu, who stood as an independent candidate, got 4,262 votes and became third. Provision of services such as clean water, construction of roads and PDM funds influenced the voters to trust NRM with their future.
Busongora North County has been predominantly NRM since 1996, with NRM leaders including Joseph Muranga, Kyetunda Elijah up to 2011, when William Nzoghu of FDC came in, up to 2021, when he was defeated by Sowedi Kitanywa of NRM. In the January election, he polled 21,064 votes against Nzoghu William of FDC, who had 13,817 votes.
The people of Busongora North have been pushing to have their own district called Hima. So, in high anticipation of the district, they have turned to NRM.
The district chairperson’s seat has been dominated by NRM members who have led the district many times compared to the opposition.
Bamusede Bwambale became the first district Chairperson on the NRM ticket, and he led until 1998 when he was defeated by Yokasi Bihande, who was in power up to 2006. In 2006, Rev. Canon Julius Kithaghenda of NRM succeeded Yokasi Bihande up to 2011 when Brig. Gen. Duula Mawa Muhindo of NRM came in and ruled up to 2016.
In 2016, Sibendire Bigogo of FDC came in after defeating Mawa and led up to 2021 when he was also defeated by Muhindi Eliphaz Bukombi of NRM. Many of the district chairpersons led for one term, but Muhindi broke this record when he was duly declared the LC V Chairperson–elect for Kasese District for the second term after securing 83,794 votes, defeating FDC’s Sibendire Bigogo, who garnered 73,111 votes in a hotly contested race. Service delivery and going back to the voters have played a big role in the voters’ decision to re-elect Muhindi Eliphaz.
On the other hand, the recently concluded parliamentary elections have come under sharp contestation after opposition candidates and party leaders have publicly rejected the official results, alleging widespread irregularities, malpractices and heavy deployment of military and police at polling stations in favour of NRM candidates.
Kabuku Ronald – Chairperson FDC Kasese said that having the NRM six MPs and LCV has been backed up by the state and security operatives, and doesn’t reflect the will of the people.
“The six MPs and LCV were voted for by security operatives, and therefore the election doesn’t reflect the will of the people.” Kabuku lamented.
Independent candidate Kabugho Maryline, who contested for the Woman Member of Parliament seat for Kasese District, rejected the results in which her rival, Sarah Ithungu Bareke, was declared the winner with 83,121 votes. Kabugho garnered 58,624 votes but insists she will not concede defeat. Kabugho described the polls as a “sham election,” claiming that the process was marred by irregularities that undermined the will of the people.
“I don’t accept the results of this election. There was a lot of malpractice that led to the manipulation of my results. The one that was declared isn’t the genuine winner.” Maryline explained.
Basisa Brian, NUP chairperson, Kasese, further expressed his dissatisfaction over the heavy military presence and electoral malpractice that led to the poor performance of opposition candidates across the district.
“We have lost all the seats in the district just because of the Police and UPDF. They manipulated the election, and this affected our performance.” Basisa explained.
National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Jackson Mbaju Kathika, who contested for Busongora South, rejected the outcome of the parliamentary race, in which Mulindwa David was announced the winner with 10,845 votes, edging Kathika by a margin of just 85 votes. Kathika says he is going to petition the high court seeking a recount of votes for this constituency.
“I am waiting for the MPs to be gazetted, and I present my case to the high court. I need a recount of some polling stations and then be declared.” Kathika said.