Hon. David Bahati
TheNewzZone Online | July 18, 2025
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) today conducted its internal elections to determine party flag bearers for various positions ahead of the 2026 general elections. The primaries, which attracted high voter turnout in several regions, saw a number of cabinet ministers failing to secure their party’s endorsement.
Despite their government portfolios, several ministers were rejected at the grassroots, signaling a growing appetite for change within the ruling party’s ranks. Below are some of the notable ministers who lost their seats in the hotly contested races:
Ministers Who Lost in the NRM Primaries
- David Bahati – State Minister for Trade, Industry and Cooperatives (Industry); lost the Ndorwa West MP race
- Musa Ecweru – Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees; defeated in Amuria County
- Hon. Rose Lilly Akello – Minister of State for Ethics and Integrity; lost the Ndorwa West seat
- Peace Mutuuzo – Minister for Gender, Labour and Social Development; failed to retain Woman MP slot for Bunyangabu
- Victoria Rusoke Businge – Minister of State for Local Government; unsuccessful bid for Woman MP, Kabarole
- Dr. Joyce Moriku Kaducu – State Minister for Primary Education; lost the Woman MP seat for Moyo District
- Ngobi Gume Fredrick – State Minister for Cooperatives; defeated in Bulamogi North West
This marks a notable reshaping of the NRM’s internal power structure, with some of the most seasoned ministers losing to relatively lesser-known contenders. TheNewzZone will continue to track the aftermath and political implications of these surprise losses.