State Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Princess Persis Namuganza, has suffered a decisive defeat in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primary re-runs in Bukono Constituency, Namutumba District, despite a tribunal ruling that gave her a second chance at securing the party flag.
The NRM elections tribunal had earlier nullified results in parts of Kibale Town Council and Kibale Sub-county , areas where Namuganza claimed voting had not taken place during the initial primaries.
In response, a re-run was ordered in 76 villages (30 in the town council and 46 in the sub-county), which was held on September 8, 2025.
However, the results did not shift in her favor still. Namuganza polled 17,764 votes, trailing by 2,748 votes behind Emmanuel Maganda Kitoko, who was re-declared the NRM flag bearer with 20,512 votes. Other candidates included Paul Bajje Baite (1,593 votes), Siraji Gusongoirye (1,546), and Andrew Mpanga (541).
In Buyende District, where fresh voting occurred in 56 villages for the District Woman MP seat, Sarah Namulondo was declared winner with 86,580 votes, defeating Annet Mary Nakato (57,527) and Robina Achom Kaima (24,991).
In Ntungamo Municipality, re-elections across seven villages confirmed Yona Musinguzi as the flag bearer with 5,740 votes, ahead of Phillip Akankwasa (1,081), Michael Katureebe (791), Edward Beyendeza (427), and Eric Nuwagira (79).
Meanwhile, in Namayingo South, Michael Wanyama Odwori retained his lead with 8,672 votes, narrowly defeating Willy Ouma (8,468) and Moses Balasa (6,815). Musa Omolly trailed with 1,270.
In Rubabo County, Mathias Mwesigwa secured 10,736 votes, edging out Alex Rugonde (10,603), David Tushabomwe Ndindirize (9,413), and others in a hotly contested re-run in six villages.
Elsewhere, Patrick Kayemba retained his position in Kigulu South Constituency after the tribunal ordered elections in 14 villages. Kayemba polled 7,978 votes, followed by Kyafu Ntulume (7,527), A. Kyangha (7,125), Milton Muwuma (5,105), and Ian Waiswa (2,956).
Odoi who was addressing the press at his office in Kampala, revealed an ugly incident involving Minister Namuganza during the tallying of the Bukono re-run results.
“A whole minister destroyed sets of gadgets we were using,” Odoi alleged.
“She broke laptops and damaged tables. Luckily, we had already extracted the results,” he added.
Despite the drama, Odoi maintained that due process had prevailed. “The winner remains the winner. We wish her the best wherever she will go.”
The re-run in Bukono was part of a broader wave of repeat elections held in several constituencies following rulings from the NRM election disputes tribunal.
But Odoi said initial winners retained their victories after the partial re-runs.
“The overall picture is that the winners remain the winners, and to the Electoral Commission, that’s a plus,” said Odoi. “We entertained petitions and followed the tribunal’s orders, which is the right process.”
Threatening to independent
Earlier, Namuganza had threatened to consult her supporters on the next step if she didn’t get justice—implying a possible independent run.
She later petitioned the tribunal, which granted her request by ordering a re-election in areas she claimed had no voting.
Now that the polls are done and she has been defeated, all eyes are on her next move. It remains to be seen whether she will respect the party’s internal justice system or go independent.
