By Aaron Ainomugisha – Rise News Uganda Network Political Torch, extensively covering the 2026 General Elections across the country. Tension within independent candidate and incumbent Mbarara city Woman MP, Atukwasa Rita Bwahika’s camp has escalated just ten days to the 15th January 2026 elections, as grassroot analysis indicates that she will lose to NRM flagbearer Charity Kibaaju Kamuhanda.
Rita who narrowly defeated NRM flagbearer Bonnie Kiconco Kashaija in 2021, is facing a tough task to rewrite the same record, as most top city stakeholders have now teamed up with Charity Kibaaju to defeat Rita. Rita and Bonnie lost to Kibaaju during the 2025 NRM primaries, and Rita’s petition in the NRM tribunal challenging Kibaaju’s victory was dismissed in Kibaaju’s favor.
Bonnie Kiconco was recently appointed by the President as National Deputy Coordinator for Parish Development Model-PDM, a move that MADE bigger part of her supporters cross to Kibaaju’s side.
Catholic Church influence. Exclusive reports from the holy catholic hill of Nyamitanga confirm that after Rita defied the party leaders tasked to mediate flagbearers and independent candidates so that NRM-leaning independent candidates withdraw in favor of flagbearers, influential catholic stakeholders including local leaders, businessmen and women and others through different bodies, have been guided to back Charity Kibaaju, and Rita will put herself together before 2031.
“NRM is involved. Rita’s attachment and support from the catholic fraternity has been shattered if you compare with 2021”, source.
NRM effect. Sources from the NRM secretariat and strong mobilization corridors confirm that the party is putting tight efforts on ensuring that MP flagbearers win especially across western Uganda.
“It is part of the national leadership transition. Rita has been defiant since 2021,” source.
More Loopholes. Analysts have further predicted that Rita’s loss will be caused by many empty promises especially to women groups in outskirts of Mbarara city, the lost relationship with her 2021 mobilization teams and media, funding her campaigns singlehandedly, lack of support and backup from party structures, and others. By Aaron Ainomugisha – Rise News Uganda Network Political Torch, extensively covering the 2026 General Elections across the country.
