he opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) has suffered a dramatic defeat in Kampala, losing key parliamentary seats and allowing the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) to stage a major comeback in the capital.
The 2026 election results have reshaped Kampala’s political landscape, forcing the opposition to share the city’s key parliamentary seats with the ruling party. This outcome has stunned many who once viewed Kampala as a firm NUP stronghold.
Despite NUP’s dominance in the 11th Parliament, the party did not enjoy a smooth ride in Kampala this time around. The opposition managed to win seven out of ten parliamentary seats, but the victories were far from comfortable. Most divisions were contested in tense, neck-and-neck battles, with narrow margins that reflected a deeper split in the city’s political loyalties.
The Kampala results mirror the presidential polls, where a clear split was seen as divisions in the city and districts across Central Uganda voted heavily for the NRM through split votes.
In Kampala Central, a major upset occurred when Minsa Kabanda took over the seat previously held by independent MP Nsereko Muhammed, defeating NUP’s David Lewis Rubongoya in a closely fought contest.
The Electoral Commission confirmed that NUP retained some strongholds, including Rubaga South and Rubaga North, where Eugene Nasolo and Abubakar Kawalya were declared winners respectively. In Makindye East, NUP’s Ali Nganda beat NRM’s Judith Abaho by a small margin, but Abaho alleged foul play, claiming that DR forms from several polling stations were not counted . She has vowed to consult lawyers to petition the outcome.
In Makindye West, Zahara Luyirika secured a decisive win over NRM’s Doreen Keita, who also raised concerns about the fairness of the election despite the wide margin of defeat.
In Kawempe South, NRM’s Madina Nsereko defeated NUP’s Frank Nyanzi by a large margin. Nyanzi, whose candidacy followed internal party disputes, claimed that the results were altered in his rival’s favour.
Kawempe North, however, remained with NUP, with Erias Nalukoola winning in a highly tense environment that required security personnel to escort the returning officer to safety. His rival, Faridah Nambi of the NRM, contested the results vigorously but Nalukoola was ultimately declared the winner.
The NRM also strengthened its grip in Nakawa, with Fred Ruhindi winning the Nakawa East seat with 18,555 votes, beating NUP’s Alex Mufumbiro who got 15,862 votes. In Nakawa West, Joel Ssenyonyi won decisively, defeating NRM’s Anderson Burora by over 12,000 votes.
The Kampala outcome is part of a wider national trend where NUP has lost significant ground, particularly in the Buganda region. The party lost at least 23 parliamentary seats in Buganda, all of which were reclaimed by the NRM or NRM-leaning independents. NUP’s parliamentary strength has fallen from 57 MPs to 48, meaning the party will enter the next parliament with fewer representatives.
The losses were felt in several key constituencies across Buganda, with NRM candidates winning in seats previously held by NUP or NUP-leaning independents. Notable losses included Kawempe South, Nakawa East, Busiro South, Busiro North, Entebbe Municipality, Nakaseke Central, and Bukomansimbi District, where all three MPs were defeated. In Butambala District, both Aisha Kabanda and Muwanga Kivumbi lost to independent candidates.
High-profile figures and musicians also fell in the polls, including Kiyaga Hillary (Dr Hilderman) and Geofrey Lutaaya, who were defeated in Mawokota North and Kakuuto County respectively. The NUP candidate for Mityana Woman MP, Mukisa Proscovia, also lost to Lands Minister Judith Nabakooba.
Despite the losses, NUP managed to flip several seats in Buganda and Busoga, maintaining influence in areas such as Kira Municipality, Kayunga District, Nakasongola County, Mukono South, Buikwe South, and Mubende Municipality.
Beyond Kampala, the election exposed a deeper shift across Uganda as several long-serving MPs and senior legislators were ousted, signalling a nationwide appetite for change. Among the most notable losses were Abdu Katuntu in Bugweri, Racheal Magoola , Medard Ssegona in Busiro East, Mathias Mpuuga in Nyendo–Mukungwe, and Asuman Basalirwa in Bugiri Municipality, Lutamaguzi Ssemakula, Lwemiyaga County’s Theodore Ssekikubbo, Buhweju County’s Francis Mwijukye among others .
The Kampala results are only part of a wider national story. Across Uganda, the ruling NRM emerged as the dominant party, winning a total of 355 seats out of the 495 confirmed parliamentary seats. The NUP secured 48 seats, while independents won 63 seats. Other parties also made small gains, with the Democratic Party (DP) winning 6 seats, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) each winning 10 seats, and the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) winning 2 seats.
In the Buganda region, the NRM claimed 57 seats, while NUP was reduced to 39 seats, with the DP and independents taking the remaining positions. This outcome confirms the NRM’s strong comeback in the region that was previously dominated by the opposition.
In other regions, the NRM also maintained strong control. In Ankole, the ruling party won 43 out of 47 seats, while in Tooro, the NRM secured 28 seats. In West Nile, the NRM won 30 seats, while in Teso and Karamoja the ruling party also recorded commanding victories.
In Acholi, the NRM won 17 seats, while DP and FDC secured several seats, showing a more competitive political environment.
The results show that while NUP remains influential in some parts of Buganda and Busoga, the party has lost its momentum nationally and will enter the next parliament significantly weaker.
The NUP’s losses in Kampala and Buganda indicate that the party will need to rebuild and rethink its strategy if it is to remain a major political force.
The election outcome signals a major comeback for the NRM in Buganda, a dramatic decline of NUP dominance, and a new political balance in Kampala and across the country.