MITOOMA. The Deputy Speaker of Parliament Thomas Tayebwa was on Thursday evening declared unopposed as the Member of Parliament for Ruhinda North County in Mitooma District in the 2026 general elections.
Speaking shortly after his nomination, Tayebwa expressed deep gratitude to the people of Ruhinda North for the overwhelming confidence they have placed in him.“I thank my constituents for sending me unopposed to represent you in Parliament for the 2026–2031 term,” he said. “Being nominated unopposed is both a blessing and a challenge, and I promise to continue delivering on the trust you have placed in me.”
Tayebwa, who also serves as the NRM flag bearer for Ruhinda North, described leadership as both a privilege and a responsibility.
“It is a privilege because, out of many, one is chosen to lead; and a responsibility because it carries the trust and expectations of those who have placed their confidence in you,” he noted.He reaffirmed his commitment to improving education, healthcare, and access to clean water in the constituency, while advancing government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and other poverty alleviation programs.
Tayebwa also revealed plans to harness the tourism potential of the area, citing its proximity to Queen Elizabeth National Park and Imaramagambo Forest, which he said could stimulate economic growth and community development.
He pledged to campaign for all NRM candidates, including the party’s presidential flag bearer, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, emphasizing that the success of the NRM is built on teamwork.
“It is not about me alone, but about the entire NRM family that delivers,” he said.
Tayebwa concluded by thanking voters and the party leadership for their continued trust, vowing to build a stronger and more prosperous Ruhinda North.Mitona District returning officer , Mr Colleb Nahamya said Tayebwa was declared unopposed after his competitor , Mr Osbert Kato, who picked nomination forms on the Opposition NUP party ticket , failed to turn up.
By press time , Mr Kato was unreachable to explain why he failed to turn up , but the excited Tayebwa went to his X-platform ,commended the voters for entrusting him once more .
“Thank you Ruhinda North , for sending me unopposed to represent you in Parliament in 2026-31. It is a challenge I appreciate . I will deliver ,” he posted .
Mr Tayebwa ,who has been in Parliament for two terms ,is not new to being unopposed . The deputy speaker , who has been the Ruhinda North legislator since 2026 was also unopposed for the NRM flag during the July internal polls . In 2016 ,he joined Parliament on NRM ticket and went unopposed as pioneer MP of Ruhinda North constituency ,which had been carved out of Ruhinda County .In 2021, Mr Tayebwa came up against four other candidates , including Moses Twimukye, Yoram Atuhamiza of Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) ,Nelson Nuwahereza of the FDC, and Burgess Nathan Kapere .
Mr Nahamya said the nomination process was successful in the district as all candidates who expressed interest were duly nominated, except Mr Kato in Ruhinda North constituency.”He came at around 3pm,but did not have a national identify car, proof of payment of Shs3million , and did not have 10 supporters on his nomination papers” Mr Nahamya said
He said they asked Mr Kato to use the remaining time before the closure of the exercise ,but he failed . “ He went out and started making calls as we waited for him, but at exactly 5pm, he came and told us he had failed . We were left with only Mr Tayebwa as the duly nominated candidate ,”