Africa-Press – Uganda. Ignatius Mudimi, the long-serving Member of Parliament for Elgon County and one of the founding legislators of Bulambuli District, has suffered a crushing defeat in the just-concluded National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries, signaling the possible end of his two-decade political reign.
Once considered a political colossus in the Elgon sub-region, Mudimi lost to Moses Masa, a youthful newcomer with little political baggage but strong grassroots support.
The upset has sent shockwaves through Bulambuli’s political landscape and laid bare the internal fractures within the NRM party in the district.
Now serving his fourth term in Parliament, Mudimi’s influence had long been buttressed by deep financial resources and a reputation for aggressive political maneuvering.
Local political analyst Denis Wanyoro says Mudimi routinely influenced the manipulation of political boundaries to dilute opposition and consolidate power—tactics that may have finally caught up with him.
“For years, he redrew constituency boundaries to weaken his rivals. But Elgon County has now been reduced to just seven sub-counties, and the voters have turned against him,” Wanyoro said.
The defeat marks a second consecutive loss for Mudimi this year, following his failed bid for the NRM District Chairperson seat.
According to Wanyoro, these repeated setbacks should have been taken as a warning.
“He should have stepped aside after losing the NRM structures. The signs were clear. One of the reasons he is desperate to return to Parliament is for the immunity. If he doesn’t make it back, he could be arrested within weeks,” Wanyoro added, referring to longstanding corruption allegations against the MP.
Mudimi has for years been embroiled in accusations surrounding the mismanagement of war-loss compensation funds intended for farmers—charges that have eroded his credibility and alienated a significant section of the electorate.
Still, his camp is contesting the results. Richard Malasha, Mudimi’s campaign manager, has rejected the official tally, claiming the vote was marred by irregularities and manipulation.
“Our declaration forms from 360 out of 415 villages show Mudimi in a commanding lead,” Malasha said. According to their internal tally, Mudimi secured 13,427 votes, compared to 8,524 for Moses Masa and 3,548 for another contender, Kiboma.
“We raised concerns at the tally center, but they were ignored. It appears to have been a syndicate to edge Mudimi out,” Malasha alleged, confirming that the team has petitioned the party’s electoral tribunal.
However, Wanyoro argues that even Mudimi’s cries of foul play underscore the irony of his downfall. “He was the architect of manipulation.
In 2011, he overturned an opponent’s victory and even physically assaulted him at the tally centre.
Now the same system has turned on him.”
With the petition pending and his political clout in steep decline, many believe Mudimi is facing the twilight of his career.
Even if the tribunal reinstates him as the NRM flagbearer, analysts say his prospects in the general election remain dim.
“Mudimi’s political currency has devalued,” Wanyoro concluded. “His era of dominance, built on money, boundaries, and intimidation, is closing fast—and perhaps, irreversibly.”
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