The general elections held on January 15 have reshaped the political landscape of Masaka City, ushering in a new chapter marked by the fall of long-serving political figures and the rise of fresh faces under the National Unity Platform (NUP).Among the most notable casualties of the polls were former Leader of Opposition Mathias Mpuuga, veteran politician Abed Bwanika, and incumbent legislator Juliet Kakande. All were defeated by new NUP-aligned candidates, signaling a significant shift in voter sentiment in the region.Political analysts and local observers point to several factors that contributed to the surprising losses.Fallout with NUP LeadershipOne of the most cited reasons for Mpuuga’s defeat is his bitter fallout with the NUP leadership. The disagreement, which traces back to a controversial UGX 500 million parliamentary service award, sparked intense public debate and internal party friction.The standoff resulted in heated exchanges, damaged reputations, and polarized public opinion. In Masaka, where NUP enjoys strong grassroots support, the fallout is widely believed to have eroded Mpuuga’s standing among core opposition voters who viewed party unity as critical.Lack of a Presidential Flag BearerMpuuga and Bwanika contested under the Democratic Front (DF), a relatively young political party that initially gained momentum by recruiting members and candidates across the country. However, the party’s failure to field a presidential candidate during the general elections proved costly.Without a presidential flag bearer, DF candidates struggled to benefit from the “coattail effect” that often boosts parliamentary candidates. Voters instead gravitated toward parties with clear national leadership, particularly the ruling NRM’s Yoweri Museveni and NUP’s Robert Kyagulanyi (Bobi Wine), leaving DF contenders at a disadvantage.Financial and Structural ChallengesDespite Mpuuga being widely regarded as financially stable, insiders say the Democratic Front’s weak party structures forced him to personally bankroll numerous party activities. He reportedly supported flag bearers and grassroots mobilization efforts from his own resources.This financial strain, combined with the absence of established party machinery, limited his consistent presence on the ground. Political rivals capitalized on this gap, strengthening their grassroots networks and steadily penetrating what had long been considered Mpuuga’s political stronghold.Voter Fatigue and Desire for ChangeMpuuga had represented the area for nearly 15 years, a tenure that once worked in his favor but may have ultimately contributed to voter fatigue. His defeat by Lubwowa Ssebina, a comparatively less-established contender, underscored a growing appetite among voters for new leadership and fresh representation.Similarly, Abed Bwanika’s loss reflected shifting loyalties, particularly among younger voters who rallied behind NUP candidates seen as more aligned with the current opposition movement.As Masaka City adjusts to its new political reality, analysts say the results highlight the growing influence of party identity, grassroots organization, and national-level alignment in determining electoral outcomes often outweighing individual political experience.The post 5 Reasons Why Mpuuga, Bwanika Lost in Masaka Elections appeared first on The Insider.