David Bahati, Minister of state for trade, industry and cooperatives who lost National Resistance Movement -NRM party flag to Eliab Naturinda Mporeera on Ndorwa county west Member of parliament seat has today been nominated as an independent candidate in the 2026 general elections.
Bahati who is the Kabale district NRM Chairman had remained silent until Sunday when he appeared in the district, and Wednesday, he arrived at the Electoral Commission offices at Makanga hill, Central Division, Kabale district and was nominated by Aisha Nansubuga, Kabale District EC returning officer.
After being nominated, Bahati denounced what he described as massive irregularities that happened during NRM party primaries
In Kabale district, Catherine Atwakiire Ndamira, the incumbent e district woman MP who lost the primaries to Enid Origumisiriza was also nominated as an Independent candidate.
James Akampumuza Rutanga who lost the flag to Protazio Begumisa for the Ndorwa East seat was also nominated as an Independent candidate.
In Rubanda district, Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema, former Rubanda district LC5 Chairman who lost the flag to incumbent Henry Ariganyira Musasizi, Minister of State for Finance was also nominated as an Independent Candidate. On the same day, Musasizi was also nominated.
Evelyn Ninsiima Kikafunda who lost the flag to incumbent parliamentary commissioner Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira, for Rubanda district woman MP has also been nominated as an independent candidate.
Moses Kamuntu Mwongyera, incumbent Rubanda west county MP who lost the flag to Bruce Balaba Kabaasa, the former chairperson Makerere University Appointments Board has also been nominated as an Independent candidate. Bakalaba was also nominated.
In Rukiga district, Captain Damson Charismas Kivumba, a retired Special Forces Command (SFC) soldier who lost the flag to prominent lawyer Patrick Kiconco Katabazi has been nominated as an independent candidate.
In Kisoro district, John Ninzeyimana Kamara, the incumbent Bufumbira north constituency who lost the flag to Fortunate Habyara Gatare, former commissioner of police, has also been nominated as an independent candidate. Dr. Leo Mfitimana who lost the flag to Sam Byibesho on Kisoro Municipality MP seat has also been nominated.
Sam Kwizera Bitangaro who lost the Bufumbira South county Mp flag to Alex Niyonsaba alias Supa Seru has also been nominated as an independent candidate.
Abel Bizimana, Kisoro District LC5 Chairman who lost Bufumbira east county flag to Roland Kanya has also been nominated as an independent candidate.
Eddie Kwizeera Wagahungu incumbent Bukimbiri constituency MP but lost the flag to Asgario Turyagyenda has been nominated by Daniel Nayebare, Kisoro District Returning Officer as an independent candidate.
In Kanungu district, John Ngaruye Ndungutse, a Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) who lost the flag to incumbent John Ruugi Kaberuka on Kinkiizi west county seat has also been nominated as an independent candidate.
Patience Kinshaba Nkunda incumbent Kanungu District woman MP and Ethster Majambere who lost the flag to Betty Namara Mutabazi Kataba have also been nominated as Independent candidates.
In Rukungiri district, Bob Alex Rugonde who lost the flag to Mathias Rwabugumi Mwesigwa on Rubabo county seat has also been nominated as an Independent candidate.
Away from NRM, Elias Sunday was nominated as a National Unity Platform -NUP party on Ndorwa county east seat with the mission of unseating Wilfred Niwagaba who has been serving the county since 2006.
Elly Maate, police spokesperson for Kigezi region says the first day of the exercise was peaceful across the region.
