Masaba wins nine-candidate race to retain Mbale Industrial City seat

19 January 2026, 6:44 pm

By Shadrach Bethel Afayo

Independent incumbent Karim Masaba has convincingly secured a second term as Member of Parliament for Mbale City’s Industrial City Division, fending off a crowded field of eight challengers in the fiercely contested 2026 general elections.

Masaba, the youthful opposition-leaning lawmaker and current Shadow Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, polled 12,031 votes — representing 40.61% of the valid ballots cast — to retain the seat for the 2026–2031 parliamentary term. His victory comes amid a mixed picture for incumbents in Mbale, where several sitting MPs lost their positions.

The race, which featured nine candidates, highlighted generational contrasts and local priorities. First-time contender and the division’s youngest aspirant, Anthony Wasukira, finished a strong second with 7,230 votes (24.40%), energising youth voters with promises of innovation and job creation. NRM candidate John Wekesa Wambogo placed third with 6,692 votes (22.59%).

The remaining candidates, including James Kimayo Mududa Sulai (47 votes, 0.16%), shared the remainder of the votes in a fragmented contest. Celebrations erupted outside the tally centre as results were declared, with supporters chanting local slogans and waving banners in support of the popular MP.

In his victory statement to the media, Masaba expressed his deep appreciation to voters.

“I want to thank the people of Industrial City Division for entrusting me with another term of leadership,” he said. “This is the time for us to put boots on the ground and work together for the betterment of our city and the region at large.”

Masaba’s re-election builds on a solid first-term record that resonated with constituents. He has been a vocal advocate on the floor of Parliament, notably raising concerns in June 2025 about persistent power outages affecting the Bugisu sub-region.

He questioned the performance of Uganda Electricity Distribution Company Limited (UEDCL) and called for lasting solutions at facilities such as the Bugema Substation, addressing disruptions that have affected both businesses and households. His focus on healthcare has delivered tangible gains, including the provision of oxygen plants and additional neonatal beds at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital (MRRH) to improve maternal and child care.

As Shadow Minister, Masaba has also championed tourism development, spearheading plans for Mbale’s first zoo to attract visitors and boost the local economy. Despite challenges on election day — including reported biometric machine failures and low voter turnout in some areas — Masaba’s performance-driven approach and independent stance proved decisive.

With his mandate renewed, Masaba now turns to delivering on promises of enhanced infrastructure, reliable electricity, improved healthcare, and economic growth for Industrial City Division — a key urban hub in eastern Uganda’s Bugisu region. His continued presence in Parliament reflects voters’ preference for results over party lines in this dynamic constituency.