EDITOR
Seven incumbent chairpersons who contested in the recent LC3 chairperson and town council mayoral elections in Kabale District have lost their seats, according to results officially declared by the Kabale District Returning Officer, Aisha Nansubuga.
Among the most notable defeats was that of Joseph Baryamujura, an independent candidate who lost the Buhara Sub-county chairmanship he had held for 30 years. Baryamujura polled 3,354 votes and was defeated by Francis Nawaha, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, who secured 4,373 votes. Another independent candidate, Rogers Bisigwaho, garnered 132 votes.
In Rubaya Sub-county, incumbent Nelson Atukwase was defeated by Noah Mubangizi, polling 1,223 votes against Mubangizi’s 1,607. In Kamuganguzi Sub-county, incumbent chairperson Elias Twesigomwe lost to NRM flag bearer Nicholas Ntegyereize, after polling 2,781 votes compared to Ntegyereize’s 3,641.
In Kitumba Sub-county, incumbent chairperson David Muhereza, who was contesting as an independent candidate, narrowly lost after polling 2,610 votes. He was defeated by Herbert Twinamasiko, who obtained 2,648 votes.
In Kyanamira Sub-county, NRM candidate Bright Buhamizo defeated incumbent Deusdedit Kamugisha, polling 3,300 votes against Kamugisha’s 2,633. Meanwhile, in Butanda Sub-county, long-serving incumbent NRM flag bearer Burnett Edward Champion lost the seat he had held for 25 years after polling 1,971 votes. He was defeated by independent candidate Happiness Turyomurugyendo, who polled 2,203 votes.
In Northern Division, incumbent chairperson Isaac Mucunguzi Rushoga was also voted out after polling 1,017 votes, losing to NRM flag bearer Patrick Tushoomwe, who secured 2,613 votes.
However, several incumbents managed to retain their seats. Enock Kazooba, the Ryakarimira Town Council chairperson and NRM flag bearer, retained his position after polling 2,144 votes against independent candidate Jackson Mpirirwe, who garnered 1,725 votes. Elvis Byonanebye Nzirwe also retained the Katuna Town Council chairmanship on the NRM ticket after polling 1,672 votes, defeating independent candidate Mathias Tubihemukama, who obtained 1,268 votes.
In Southern Division, Macleane Kamusiime Batware retained her seat as chairperson after polling 2,980 votes as an independent candidate, defeating NRM flag bearer Arthur Asiimwe, who polled 974 votes. Vanansion Kamugisha also retained his seat as chairperson of Kibuga Sub-county on the NRM ticket after defeating independent candidate Fulgence Byaruhanga.
Elsewhere, John Kabengye won the Kahungye Sub-county chairperson seat unopposed, while Onesmas Mutungi retained the Maziba Sub-county seat unopposed. Edmond Tumwesigye also won the Kaharo Sub-county chairperson seat unopposed.
In Central Division, NRM flag bearer Henry Nasasiira won the chairperson seat after polling 2,025 votes. Leopold Twesigye of the People’s Front for Freedom came second with 1,260 votes, while National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Derrick Katebire Mugyesera finished last with 94 votes.
