Africa-Press – Uganda. The defeat of incumbent MP Tarsis Rwaburindore Bishanga in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries for Ibanda Municipality came as no surprise to many voters and political observers.
Instead, it was seen as the culmination of growing public frustration over what constituents described as years of lackluster representation.
According to results announced on Friday at the Ibanda tally centre, Bishanga garnered only 9,193 votes (28.46%), losing to Peter Agaba, who topped the race with 15,143 votes (46.89%).
Other candidates in the race included Innocent Mwine Bakamuhara (3,989 votes, 12.35%), Winston Rutehenda Rwankore (3,782 votes, 11.71%), Winifred Ainomugisha (129 votes, 0.40%), Robert Kabaireho (56 votes, 0.17%), and Martin Barigye (6 votes, 0.02%).
Residents blamed Bishanga’s disconnect from the electorate for his defeat.
“We felt abandoned,” said a voter in Ibanda Town. “He was rarely around to listen to our concerns. For years, we kept complaining about poor service delivery, but he never followed up.”
This discontent boiled over during a campaign stop at Integrated Primary School, where Bishanga was heckled and blocked from addressing voters who accused him of incompetence and betrayal of public trust.
“He had his time, but people were fed up,” said Clifton Manyirwomujuni, a local political analyst.
“They wanted someone new, someone with energy and a clear plan. Bishanga’s failure to lobby for development projects and his limited visibility in the constituency made his loss inevitable.”
Voters also emphasized the desire for leadership that is grounded, proactive, and accountable.
“People are tired of promises,” said a voter in Bufunda Ward. “We want a leader who can bring tangible results, lobby for better infrastructure, and represent our interests in Parliament.”
Despite repeated efforts to reach him for comment, Bishanga has remained silent since the results were announced.
His political future remains uncertain, even as the constituency now looks toward a potential new chapter under Peter Agaba.
For many residents of Ibanda Municipality, the vote was less about party politics and more about performance — and by their measure, Bishanga had simply come up short.
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