A host of seasoned lawmakers have quit parliamentary politics, paving the way for new faces in Uganda’s 12th Parliament. Some had served for more than three terms, while others had only a single term.
A survey by Daily Monitor shows that many MPs chose to leave elective politics after losing internal party primaries and being denied the party flag for the January 15, 2026, General Election. Some expressed dissatisfaction, alleging unfair or manipulated party processes, while others said they had served their time and were ready to retire or focus on private ventures.
Baba and Wakikona Bow Out
Long-serving National Resistance Movement (NRM) MPs James Baba of Koboko County and David Wakikona of Bushigai County have quit parliamentary politics, citing health reasons. Both said politics had taken a toll, and they now prefer to retire to their farms.
Mr. Wakikona’s personal assistant, Samwiri Wekoye, told Daily Monitor: ‘He quit the race because he is sick.’
Mr. Baba, 80, a respected West Nile politician, said he intends to focus on his personal businesses and health. Baba joined politics in 2006, served until 2011, and after a brief hiatus as State Minister for Internal Affairs, returned as MP for Koboko County in 2016 and retained the seat in 2021.
‘I had enough time to represent the people of Koboko for three terms. I leave a very satisfied man. We achieved milestones in rural roads, health centers, schools, water supply, and laboratory equipment,’ he said. Baba also committed to cultivating cocoa and coffee in West Nile to fight poverty through high-value crops.
Before politics, Baba served as a civil servant in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as Uganda’s ambassador to Japan and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York.
Successors and Retirements
Baba has groomed Emmanuel Banya (NRM), a former Muni University secretary, who has been declared unopposed for Koboko County.
Similarly, Ruth Molly Ondoru (NRM), 78, MP for Maracha East, said she had served her people wholeheartedly and decided to take a break. Ondoru lost in the recent NRM primaries and chose not to contest as an Independent. She now plans to focus on personal projects, including a church in Okollo.
In Nebbi District, Woman MP Agnes Acibu (NRM) opted out after State Minister Phiona Nyamutoro joined the race. Acibu served one term (2021-2026) and respected the party decision.
Amuria District Woman MP Susan Amero, who has served three terms, also announced she would not seek re-election, citing political stress. In the 2021 elections, she won 20,284 votes against Ms. Rhoda Acen’s 18,341.
For Paul Nsubuga (Busiro North, Wakiso District, NUP), losing the party flag left him worried about repaying debts accumulated during his political career.
Masaka Sub-region
The political situation in Greater Masaka mirrors the national trend of seasoned MPs stepping aside. Mr. Noah Mutebi Wanzala, the incumbent MP for Nakasongola County, said he heeded President Museveni’s message not to contest again after losing the NRM primaries.
‘We need cohesion in our party, and I cannot be the one to cause division within NRM-a party I dearly love. I want to give a chance to my colleague who is holding the party flag to serve,’ he said.
Mr. Wanzala, who has served two terms in Parliament since 2016, lost to Mr. Stephen Tiberondwa Bujjingo in the July 17 NRM primaries, receiving 7,186 votes against Bujjingo’s 10,521. He initially rejected the results, citing irregularities and intimidation, and declared he would run as an Independent. However, after the party election tribunal upheld Bujjingo’s victory, Mr. Wanzala withdrew his candidature.
Lango Sub-region
Mr. Jimmy Akena, MP for Lira City East Division and son of Uganda’s two-time President, Dr. Apollo Milton Obote, has opted out of the 2026 parliamentary race. His presidential ambitions were blocked by the Electoral Commission, prompting him not to return to Parliament.
Six MPs from Lango Sub-region-Moses Ogwal Goli (Dokolo North), Tonny Ayo (Kwania County), Judith Alyek (Kole Woman MP), Docus Acen (Alebtong Woman MP), Christine Akello (Erute North), and James Olobo (Kioga North)-lost in their respective party primaries and are running as Independents. Notably, Mr. Olobo has relocated to neighboring Kaberamaido County, while Ms. Alyek has shifted to Kole County North.
Acholi Sub-region
In Acholi Sub-region, all incumbent MPs were nominated to run in the 2026 parliamentary elections, either on party or Independent tickets.
As the January 2026 polls approach, voters will decide whether to embrace a new generation of leaders or return the old guard to Parliament.
Other regions
In Sebei Sub-region, Water and Environment Minister Sam Cheptoris (NRM) will not seek re-election for Kapchorwa Municipality to spend more time with family. Cheptoris has served two consecutive terms and emphasized his contributions to national development.
In the Ankole Sub-region, at least 16 MPs chose not to seek re-election, mostly from NRM. Michael Timuzigu (Kajara County, Ntungamo District) and Mbwatekamwa Gaffa (Igara West, who attempted to run for Mbarara City Mayor) stepped aside to focus on personal ventures or were blocked by the Electoral Commission.
In Busoga Sub-region, Steven Bakka Mugabi, who lost the NRM flag for Bukooli North MP seat, declined to run as an Independent. He plans to focus on supporting President Museveni and his personal businesses.
Notable MPs who will not return in 12th parliament
Agnes Taaka – Bugiri Woman MP
Ms Taaka Wejuli, born 1980 in Kafufu Village, Bugiri District, is the current Bugiri Woman MP. She attended Kigulu Girls Primary School, Bukoyo Secondary School, Iganga Secondary School, and Makerere University. Elected in 2016, Ms Taaka recently lost the NRM primaries to Eunice Namatende, who switched from the Opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party to NRM. Ms Namatende secured 52,851 votes against Ms Taaka, who got 21,795 votes in the July internal polls.
Muhammad Nsereko – Kampala Central
In 2011, Nsereko contested for the Kampala Central Division constituency on NRM ticket and won. During the 9th Parliament, he became a vocal critic of the the NRM party. He was branded a ‘rebel MP’ together with three other NRM MPs. They were suspended from the party, which also wanted them expelled from Parliament. In 2014, the Constitutional Court ruled that the quartet should vacate Parliament. That decision was overturned by the Supreme Court in 2015. Mr Nsereko won the 2016 and 2021 polls on an independent ticket.
Tom Butime – Mwenge Central
Rtd Col Butime is a long-serving NRM politician and the incumbent MP for Mwenge Central County in Kyenpio District. Mr Butime has represented the constituency from 2016-2026. He is, however, not seeking re-election. He currently also serves as the minister of Tourism, Wildlife, and Antiquities and as the chairperson of the Historical League on the NRM executive Committee. Mr Butime previously served as the State minister for Communications from January 2005 to February 2006.
Boaz Kasirabo – Kooki County
Before joining Parliament in elective politics in 2016, he served as Laboratory technical officer for infectious Diseases Research Collaboration (IDRC); laboratory focal person for Rakai District; laboratory assistant for Kasaali Health Centre III and a former manager and nursing assistant at Kibaale Community Clinic-both in Rakai District. At Makerere University, Mr Kasirabo attained a Diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology in 2009 and a Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science in 2013.
Gerald Ibanda – Ntoroko County
Mr. Gerald Ibanda Rwemulikya is the incumbent MP for Ntoroko County, having served since 2016. He was initially elected on the NRM ticket (2016-2021). In the 2021 NRM primaries, he lost the party flag to Mr. Martin Mugara, the current State Minister for Tourism, but went on to win the general election as an Independent candidate aligned with the NRM.
For the 2026-2031 term, Mr. Ibanda again lost in the NRM primaries, this time to the current Western Youth MP, Mr. Edward Rugumayo.
Baka Mugabi – Bukooli North
A lawyer and politician, Mr. Mugabi has represented Bukooli North since 2008. He was re-elected in 2011, lost in 2016, and regained the seat in 2021. He recently lost the NRM primaries and will not contest in the upcoming general elections.
Stephen Kagwera – Burahya
Mr. Kagwera, the Burahya County MP, did not participate in the NRM primaries for the 2026-2031 term. He has announced his retirement from active politics to focus on personal projects.
Peace Mutuuzo – Bunyangabu
Ms. Mutuuzo has represented Bunyangabu District on the NRM ticket since 2017 and also serves as State Minister for Gender. In the recent NRM primaries, she lost the party flag to Ms. Sarah Kabarokole.
David Aga – Jinja North
A former radio personality and politician, Mr. Aga served as the Busoga Kingdom deputy spokesperson before entering politics. He was elected as MP on the FDC ticket but later switched to the National Unity Platform (NUP).
Henry Kibalya – Bugabula South
Born in 1977, Mr. Kibalya holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Makerere University, where he served as guild president from 2005 to 2006. He represents Bugabula South County in Kamuli District, Busoga Sub-region.
Geofrey Macho – Busia
Mr. Macho, born October 12, 1973, is a teacher by profession and serves as MP for Busia Municipality. He chairs the parliamentary forum on mental health and is credited with constructing schools and a hospital in Busia.
Donald Katalihwa – Mwenge South
Since 2021, Mr. Katalihwa has represented Mwenge South County in Kyenjojo District on the NRM ticket. He lost the recent NRM primaries to newcomer Ms. Mary Kamuli Kuteesa, the only female candidate in the race.
Bashir Kazibwe – Kawempe South
Before entering Parliament in 2021 on the NUP ticket, Mr. Kazibwe worked as a broadcaster and talk show host on both TV and radio. He previously served as president of the Uganda Journalist Association (UJA) and featured in several local films (Ugawood), commonly known as Binauganda.
Victoria Rusoke – Kabarole
Ms. Victoria Businge Rusoke is the Kabarole Woman MP on the NRM ticket. She also serves as District NRM chairperson and as State Minister for Local Government. She previously served as Kabarole Woman MP from 2011 to 2016.
Musa Ecweru – Amuria County
Mr. Ecweru has served as Chief of the Arrow Auxiliary Force, a volunteer force protecting civilians from the Lord’s Resistance Army, since 2003. He successfully contested for the Amuria County parliamentary seat in 2006 and was re-elected in 2011, 2016, and 2021.
Also not returning to parliament
James Baba – Koboko County
David Wakikona – Bushigai County
Agnes Acibu – Nebbi District Woman MP
Susan Amero – Amuria District Woman MP
Sam Cheptoris – Kapchorwa Municipality
Paul Nsubuga – Busiro North County
Nathan Nandala Mafabi – Budadiri West
Mbwatekamwa Gaffa – Igara West
As the January 2026 polls approach, voters will decide whether to embrace a new generation of leaders or return the old guard to Parliament.