Following the recently concluded National Resistance Movement (NRM) party elections in Mbarara City characterized by impunity, manipulation, and rigging one of the top contenders, Hon. Bonnie Kashaija, has officially declared that she will not run as an independent after meeting with the NRM National Chairman, H.E. President Yoweri Museveni.
Reliable sources have confirmed that the meeting between Hon. Kashaija and President Museveni was facilitated by patriotic individuals in the city who witnessed the irregularities in the NRM primaries irregularities that many fears could damage the party’s political standing in Mbarara City.
“We wonder how someone who had no support on the ground could defeat Hon. Rita Atukwasa or Hon. Bonnie Kashaija, who both have traceable, solid support from voters,” one stakeholder remarked.
Intelligence reports indicate that incumbent Woman MP Hon. Rita Atukwasa had significant support, closely followed by Hon. Bonnie Kashaija. However, due to alleged manipulation and impunity by the team of Hon. Kibaaju Charity, there was widespread rigging and tampering with declaration forms, ultimately leading to the last-place candidate being declared the winner.
The controversial declaration of a third candidate as the winner sparked ethnic tensions in the city tensions that were also evident during the NRM City Mayor elections. Stakeholders warn that if these tensions are not addressed, they could divide the electorate and negatively impact President Museveni’s vote count in the 2026 general elections. Many believe that Hon. Rita Atukwasa had helped to balance these ethnic tensions in the past.
A high-profile source, who requested anonymity, confirmed that H.E. Museveni met Hon. Bonnie Kashaija to help restore the party’s image and credibility in Mbarara City.
It is also alleged that SPA-Trade, Hon. Kakuru Phillip, submitted a report to President Museveni detailing the manipulation within the NRM primaries in Mbarara City a report that reportedly left the President deeply concerned about the actions of certain individuals within the party.
With Hon. Bonnie Kashaija stepping out of the race for Mbarara City Woman MP, the odds now favor incumbent Hon. Rita Atukwasa, who stands a strong chance of retaining her seat in the general elections.
Both Hon. Kashaija and Hon. Atukwasa have consistently enjoyed strong, visible support from the electorate, making them difficult to challenge.
Observers say the NRM Woman MP flag for Mbarara City was won through manipulation and impunity. Without Hon. Kashaija in the race, the dynamics are expected to shift significantly.
