Masindi PLU Chairperson loses to Former Minister in NRM Polls
She received 401 votes, defeating Karuhanga, who garnered 226 votes.
Masindi: John Karuhanga, Chairperson of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU) Masindi Chapter, has lost the bid for the Masindi District Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) to former Minister for the Presidency, Kabakumba Labwoni Masiko, in a closely contested election.
Kabakumba, who has served as the district NRM Chairperson for the past 15 years, was declared the winner by Moses Ogwang, the District NRM Registrar, during elections held at Masindi Stadium on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
She received 401 votes, defeating Karuhanga, who garnered 226 votes.
In the race for Vice Chairperson, Kassim Kabagonza secured a resounding victory with 405 votes, while Francis Byamukama trailed with 30 votes.
‘’I therefore declare Kabakumba Labwoni Masiko as the duly elected district NRM Chairperson and deputized by Kassim Kabagonza after garnering 401 and 405 votes respectively,’’ he declared.
In the position of general secretary, Brian Tunura was declared a winner after gaining 350 votes against his opponents Wilson Byenkya and Moses Kirya who scored 35 votes and 29 votes respectively.
Wahid Babyesiza was declared the public secretary after getting 207 votes against other three opponents. In the same position, Cosmas Byaruhanga got 93 votes, Tom Segunya 56, Nathan Kalyegira got 36 votes.
Meanwhile, Noeline Tinka went through unopposed for the position of secretary finance. Stella Kobusinge was elected the youth chairperson after gaining 70 votes against the incumbent Simon Byaruhanga who garnered 8 votes.
Ogwang commended the participants for turning up in big numbers to have peaceful elections. He also thanked the security agency and the stakeholders for being part of the election exercise. ‘’We want to appreciate you for turning up in big numbers, I also thank the security personal and other stakeholders for being party of this peaceful exercise,’’ he commended.
Kabakumba applauded the party members for entrusting them with the leadership in Masindi district thus appealing for the cooperation among the party members. ‘’I would like to thank you for entrusting us with leadership in the district, we therefore ask for your cooperation and continue supporting the president,’’ she added.
Speaking to this publication, Karuhanga stressed that the election was marred with voter bribery and participation of non-party delegates. ‘’If it was free and fare, i would have won this election because it has been marred with voter bribery and participation of non-delegate members,’’ he stressed, adding that he is engaging his legal team for advice and where necessary he will petition.
‘’Though I have lost the election, I remain an NRM party member and I’ll continue mobilizing the youth to support the party activities and vote for President Museveni,’’ he further added.
In response, Ogwang told this publication that the election has been free and fair dismissing the allegations of non-delegate party members participating in the election.
”The election has been free and fair, all members who participated were delegate members, we had 669 party delegate members but some did not participate in the elections. Karuhanga should produce evidence indicating that there have been irregularities in the exercise and I’m ready to receive petitions,’’ he said.
Do you have an advertisement or article you want to publish? Mail us at theugreports@gmail.com or WhatsApp +256757022363.
