At least ten cabinet ministers were voted out of Parliament in a dramatic outcome of Uganda’s January 15, 2026 General Elections, marking one of the biggest political upsets in recent electoral history.
The elections, conducted in accordance with the Constitution, saw Ugandans elect the President and Members of Parliament through universal adult suffrage by secret ballot.
While National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer Museveni was declared President-elect, several senior figures within his government failed to retain their parliamentary mandates.
Among the notable casualties was State Minister for Trade David Bahati, who lost the Ndorwa West seat. Bahati contested as an independent after failing to secure the NRM ticket but was unable to overcome the challenge.
In Lira City, Gender Minister Betty Amongi suffered defeat at the hands of Health Minister Jane Ruth Aceng. Amongi had switched from her Oyam constituency to contest for the Lira City Woman MP seat on a Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) ticket, a political gamble that did not pay off.
Former State Minister for Karamoja Affairs Agnes Nandutu was also voted out in Bududa District, losing to NRM’s Agnes Shiuma, who secured 20,072 votes against Nandutu’s 18,921.
In Moyo District, State Minister for Primary Education Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu lost after failing to clinch the NRM nomination and later running as an independent, paving the way for Benedetta Chandia Kodili to take the seat.
The wave of defeats continued with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Regional Affairs) John Mulimba, who lost Samia Bugwe North, and Minister of State for International Affairs Henry Okello Oryem, who was defeated in Chua County, Kitgum District, by independent candidate John Clavin Okoya.
In another upset, State Minister for Environment Beatrice Anywar lost her seat to Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate Dennis Onekalit Amere, who garnered 6,176 votes against her 5,013.
The Ministry of Karamoja Affairs was also hit hard, with Senior Minister Peter Lokeris losing Chekwii East County to Stephen Ilukol, while State Minister Florence Namboozo was defeated in the Sironko District Woman MP race.
The loss of parliamentary seats by at least ten cabinet ministers highlights a significant shift in voter mood and signals changing political dynamics across the country, as voters delivered a clear message that incumbency no longer guarantees electoral success.
