How Ugandans Clearly Rejected Museveni’s UPM in 1980 General Elections Prompting Him to Fight
To his credit, Vision Group history writer and researcher Muwonge CW Magembe has unearthed shocking information showing the extent to which Ugandans, casting their vote for the first time in the post-Amin Uganda in December 1980, resoundingly rejected Mr. Yoweri Museveni and the other 76 candidates his newly-formed UPM Party had fielded. Ironically, the same Museveni was able to use a different approach, going to the bush, and realized his childhood dream and became President of Uganda on 26th January 1986.
The following statistics shows where, how Ugandans rejected Museveni candidates in whose favor and by what margin: In that election, held on 10th December 1980, four parties competed for the 126 Parliamentary Constituencies with Museveni’s UPM fielding in only 77. Of these, only Crispus Kiyonga’s Kasese North elected a UPM candidate. Dr. Kiyonga scored 13,632 votes against 12,728 for UPC’s Adam Kisu. The other parties fielding candidates were Obote’s UPC, PK Semogerere’s DP and Mayanja Nkangi’s CP.
Apart from Kiyonga, the rest of the UPM’s 76 candidates trailed badly as illustrated hereunder; Mbarara South West’s Eriya Kategaya (UPM) only managed 2,471 votes losing to UPC’s Rwaboona Kagurusi (20,137 votes). In Soroti West, UPM’s Christopher Ebwangu Opio polled mere 3,250 votes against UPC’s Dennis Ecwou (33,331) yet for Rukungiri West, UPM’s Amama Mbabazi trailed with 1,471 votes losing to UPC’s James Rwanyarare (his relative) who scored 21,505. For Rukungiri Central, UPM’s GW Kangwagye polled 3,178 votes against UPC’s Kham Kamulegeya (21,505) yet in Rukungiri East, Museveni’s candidate Mathew Rukikaire scored 6,271 votes against DP’s Francis Kasura (18,709). In Rakai South East (current Kyotera County), UPM’s George Kasirivu managed only 147 votes miserably trailing behind DP’s Andrew Ben Sengooba (33,399). For Rakai North, the UPM man George Kinywa polled only 2,363 votes against DP’s Luke Kazinja. For Rakai Central (current Kooki), UPM’s Hajji Dirisa Kalyamagwa was badly rejected polling only 373 votes(!) losing to Pullida Mudirikati Katikajjira Mukasa of DP (20,182).
When it came to Mpigi, UPM still trailed badly. Their Bakulumpagi for Mpigi West only managed 944 votes against DP’s Yafeesi Sabiiti (20,364). In Mpigi North West, DP’s Evaristo Nyanzi (42,205) easily thumped UPM’s Isaac Ssali Kironde (397). For Mpigi North East, Museveni’s man Dr. Samson Kisekka only managed 699 votes against DP’s PK Sengendo (34,672). In Mpigi Central, Museveni’s candidate Asadu Lutale only managed 1,575 votes against DP’s Kafumbe Mukasa who scored 29,446 votes. Seya Nasser Sebaggala says he is the one who prompted Kafumbe Mukasa to join politics in 1980 along with Sam Kutesa. Three of them walked to DP headquarters on Johnson Chambers where then DP SG Francis Bwengye recruited them into the party and commissioned them to carry its flag against UPC and UPM candidates. That is how Sam Kutesa, who was a well-earning company secretary and private lawyer in Kampala stood for Mbarara North where he scored 15,657 votes against YK Museveni’s 12,747 votes.
Seya stood for Kampala East, for which he also became DP Chairman, but the party secretariat persuaded him to pull out for Dr. Ojok Muloozi who was a non Muganda that DP hoped would galvanize the non-Baganda vote there and he indeed won the seat for DP badly thumping UPC’s Aggrey Awori. In fact, in removing Seya, the DP leadership thought Milton Obote would run there as a UPC candidate but later changed his mind. Seya became Muloozi’s campaign manager and they clearly thumped UPC’s Aggrey Awori in what became Nakawa Division.
In Mpigi South West, Museveni’s UPM fronted Fred Balike who got 724 votes badly losing to DP’s PK Semogerere (40,152). For Mukono East, UPM had Robinson Wilson Kasozi who polled 657 votes against DP’s Lawrence Kabaale (26,276). In Mukono West, UPM fronted Ferdinand Kabuye who got 542 votes against DP’s Peter Sebuwufu (32,134). In Mukono South, UPM’s Kayitiro Binaisa polled 596 votes against DP’s Alphonse Ntale (28,133). In Mukono North West, UPM’s (later Colonel) Livingstone Kateregga got 470 votes against DP’s Ponsiano Mulema (28,041). In Mukono South East, UPM’s John Serwadda got 705 votes against DP’s Godfrey Kiwanuka Musisi (30,777).
For Mubende North, UPM’s Rhoda Kalema (who later mentored and bequeathed the Kiboga Seat to Ruth Nankabirwa) got only 1,334 votes against DP’s JB Bbosa (17,284) yet in Mubende West, UPM’s Constantine Guwedde got 1,424 votes against DP’s Sebastian Sebugwawo (22,201). In Mubende South, UPM’s George Wilson Lubega got 302 votes against DP’s Abu Mayanja Kakyama (33,026). In Mubende North East (current Mityana), UPM’s John Herbert Kizito got 1,265 votes ultimately losing to UPC’s Samwiri Mugwisa (11,971). In Mpigi East, UPM fronted Sam Kalega Nuba who got 763 votes against DP’s John Ssonko (34,672).
In Mbarara South, UPM’s Jackson Bwengye got 1,393 votes against DP’s Paul Kavuma (15,587). In Mbarara South East, DP’s Ignatius Katetegirwe won with 12,708 votes against UPM’s Deo Mukasa Kinako who got 2,288 votes. JB Katatumba of UPM scored only 1,984 votes losing the Mbarara West MP Seat to UPC’s Francis Butagira who subsequently became the Speaker of that Parliament (1980-1985). In Mbale North WEest, William Wanendeya was the UPM candidate and was badly rejected polling only 2,021 votes losing to UPC’s Keneth Magombe (34,329). For Mbale West, Museveni fronted Maumbe Mukhwana who got 1,182 votes trailing behind UPC’s James Kisesi Wakori (27,641). In Mbale South, the UPM candidate was Phares Musamali who got 547 votes losing to UPC’s Wilson Tsekooko who later became Supreme Court Justice (35,937).
For Masindi East in Bunyoro sub region, UPM still performed dismally with their Dr. Bayitera Maitek (3,648 votes) badly losing Masindi East MP Seat to UPC’s Fredrick Isingoma (26,523). In Masindi West, Museveni’s candidate Yovani Kiiza got 3,056 votes against UPC’s Yosamu Mugenyi (23,134). In Masaka South West, UPM’s Swaibu Lubega Masimbi got 823 votes against DP’s Henry Sewanyana (21,610). This Henry Sewanyana is the gracefully ageing light-skinned old man who is always next to PK Semogerere wherever he goes. They are like Siamese twins.
For Masaka North West, the UPM candidate Emmanuel Mukiibi got 2,987 votes against eventual winner Paul Ssali of DP (19,329). In Luwero South (current Nakaseke), UPM’s Ignatius Musaazi got 270 votes against DP’s Joy Senteza (30,228). In Luwero Central, the winner was Dr. YB Ssemambo of DP (32,402) against UPM’s Edward Kanonya Kikonyogo (404). In Luwero North, UPM’s Joseph Byekwaso got 3,539 votes losing to DP’s Onesmus Katalikawe (26,645). In Luwero South East, DP’s Dr. Kisamba Mugerwa (32,341) badly thumped UPM’s Fred Lubwaguzi Ssali. In Mbarara Central, UPC’s Prof Patrick Rubayihayo (17,235 votes0 defeated UPM’s Fred Kamugira (7,513). In Kitgum South, the UPM candidate was John Dick Obina Okumu (124 votes) and lost to UPC’s JB Oryem (29,502).
In Kamuli East, UPM’s Azarious Kige got 814 votes against DP’s JP Mpaulo (36,975). In Kamuli Central, UPM’s FB Mwanja got 876 votes against DP’s David Kazungu (36,975). For Kamuli West, the UPM candidate David Buluba got 863 votes losing to DP’s Patrick Batumbya (36,975). In Kampala South, UPM’s FW Paddy Blick got 2,332 votes losing to DP’s Sebaana Kizito (35,693). For Kampala North (current Kawempe Division), UPM’s Erisa Kironde got 2,171 votes against DP’s Ali Serunjogi (35,341).
InKampala West, UPM’s Ponsiano Kaparaheha got 1,634 votes losing to DP’s Aloysius Lubega (46,228). In Kabarole South, UPM’s WKB Benanura got 1,637 votes losing to UPC’s Henry Tungakwo (16,673). In Kabarole Central, UPM’s Prince Patrick Kaboyo got 12,501 votes losing to DP’s Pancras Kaboha (17,375). In Kabarole South West, UPM’s Tom Rubaale got 8,552 votes losing to DP’s William Nyakatura (20,806). In Kabarole North East, UPM’s Raphael Bitamazire got 9,589 votes against DP’s George Bamuturaki (13,450). In Kabale North, UPM’s Dr. Edward Tumwine got 575 votes losing to UPC’s David Kanyeihamba (17,667). In Kabale West (current Kisoro), UPM’s John Sekaziga got 1,575 votes against UPC’s Philemon Mateke/now Minister (25,771). In Kabale South, UPM’s Ruhangarinda got 818 votes losing to UPC’s Bwana Tumukunde (26,128). In Kabale Central, UPM’s Ruhakana Rugunda (now PM) got 1,554 votes0 losing to UPC’s Twiino Kataama (18,157).
In Jinja East, UPM’s Vasco Rwigale got 1,074 votes losing to DP’s Eliab Muzira (31,285). In Jinja NW, UPM’s Martin Mpalabulwe got 489 votes losing to DP’s Alex Waibale (28,027). In Iganga NE, UPM’s Prince Erias Kiregeya got 652 votes ultimately losing to powerful UPC man Dr. Luwuliza Kirunda (23,144). In Iganga SW, UPM’s Robinah Kassadha got 684 votes and lost to DP’s Daudi Nabeta (20,960). In Iganga South East, UPM’s Swaibu Nakendo got 900 votes losing to UPC’s Emmanuel Masiga (27,234). In Iganga NW, UPM’s John Ndege got 999 votes losing to DP’s John Magezi (31,867).
In Hoima South, UPM’s Justus Bagambe got 3,981 votes losing to UPC’s Edward Senyonga (17,077). In Hoima North, UPM’s Zac Kaheru got 5,296 votes losing to UPC’s Rugadya Tundulu (14,843). In Gulu East, UPM’s Lawrence Kinyera got 317 votes losing to UPC’s Otema Alimadi (42,415 votes) who fathers Barbra Alimadi (who died recently) and went on to become the Obote II Prime Minister. In Bushenyi North, UPM’s Victor Bigirwenda got 593 votes losing to UPC’s Dr. Joseph Muhangi (22,744). In Bushenyi Central, UPM’s Jason Mwebesa trailed with 752 votes ultimately losing to UPC strongman Dr. Adonia Tiberondwa (30,958). In Masaka NE, UPM’s Kintu Musoke got 749 votes losing to DP’s Matia Sendegeya (27,915). In Bushenyi South, UPM’s Kweronda Ruhemba got 1,023 votes losing to UPC’s Yonasan Kanyomozi (30,739). In Bushenyi East, UPM’s Dr. Musa Mushanga got 881 votes losing to UPC’s Chris Rwakasisi (23,874). In Kabale East, UPM’s Jack Sabiiti got 988 votes losing to UPC’s Dr. Ezra Nkwasibwe (23,074). In Kampala East, UPM’s Bidandi Ssali (3200 votes) lost to DP’s Dr. Ojok Muloozi (24,542). In Hoima West, UPM’s Matia Kasaijja (now Finance Minister) got 2,640 votes against UPC’s Matia Kisembo (24,542). In Iganga Central, UPM’s Kirunda Kivejinja got 1,325 votes against DP’s Yoweri Kyesimira (31,325). In Bushenyi West, UPM’s Kahinda Otafiire got 785 votes losing to UPC’s Maj Edward Rurangaranga (34,439).
