The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Delegates Conference at Kololo Independence Grounds has sent shockwaves across Uganda’s political landscape after a series of dramatic elections that saw fresh faces displace long-serving figures, signaling a possible generational shift within the ruling party.
Jacqueline Mbabazi Re-Emerges on the Political Scene
One of the standout outcomes was the election of Jacqueline Mbabazi, wife to former Prime Minister John Patrick Amama Mbabazi, as NRM Elders League Chairperson for Western Uganda. She unseated veteran legislator Joram Ruranga Tibasiimwa, sparking speculation that her victory could pave the way for Amama Mbabazi’s gradual return to influence within the NRM, nearly a decade after his fallout with President Museveni.
Observers argue that Jacqueline’s comeback is less about personal ambition and more about repositioning the Mbabazi household within party politics, especially as Uganda heads into the 2026 elections. Sources also indicate that she may soon take up an advisory role at the NRM Secretariat, focusing on youth mobilization and policy engagement.
Women Delegates Deliver Stunning Upset
The most dramatic scene, however, unfolded in the Women’s League elections. The once-dominant national chairperson, Lydia Wanyoto, was forced into a humiliating exit after angry delegates accused her of overstaying in office and neglecting grassroots concerns. Despite endorsing Faridah Kibowa as her preferred successor, Kibowa was overwhelmingly defeated by Adrine Kobusingye, a little-known businesswoman and grassroots mobilizer from Bushenyi.
Kobusingye’s landslide victory with 1,838 votes against Kibowa’s 670 reflected a groundswell of demand for change. Other candidates, including Sarah Ochenge Lanyero (19 votes) and Rahema Nakalawa (2 votes), barely registered.
“This win is not mine alone; it belongs to the women of Uganda who are ready to step into the money economy as the president has urged,” Kobusingye declared in her victory speech, positioning herself as a new voice for women’s empowerment within the ruling party.
Special Interest Groups Reshaped
The conference further reshaped leadership in various NRM special interest groups. Ofwono Opondo, the former Uganda Media Centre boss, clinched the Eastern Region Elders League seat, while James Kakooza took the Central Region slot. Penninah Busingye Kabingani was elected Chairperson of the National Elders League, and Jim Muhwezi comfortably retained his Veterans League leadership.
In another key shift, Shafiq Mwanje was chosen as the new Chairperson of the Persons with Disabilities League. Meanwhile, President Museveni personally halted voting for the Entrepreneurship League Chairperson, citing the need for further investigations before proceeding.
A Party at a Crossroads
With the fall of entrenched figures like Lydia Wanyoto and the re-emergence of long-absent power players like Jacqueline Mbabazi, the NRM appears to be undergoing a recalibration of leadership. Analysts suggest these elections highlight both the generational fatigue with old guard figures and the strategic repositioning of veterans ahead of 2026.
While the spotlight remains on Jacqueline’s victory and what it means for Amama Mbabazi’s future role, the real story may be the rise of new, grassroots-connected leaders like Adrine Kobusingye, who embody the shifting balance within Uganda’s ruling party.
