The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Women’s League ushered in new leadership on Tuesday, August 26, as Adrine Kobusingye won a decisive victory at Kololo Independence Grounds in an election that ended with the dramatic withdrawal of incumbent Lydia Wanyoto.
The highly anticipated contest, organized under the NRM Special Interest Groups (SIGs) conference, drew thousands of delegates who queued behind their chosen candidates in line with the party’s electoral tradition.
According to results announced by NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi, Kobusingye secured a commanding 1,839 votes. Her closest challenger, Faridah Kibowa, trailed significantly with 670 votes. The remaining contestants — Faridah Nakalama with 3 votes, Kyanika Rehema with 2 votes, and Lanyero Sarah Ochieng with 19 votes — had only minimal support.
But the defining moment of the race came when Lydia Wanyoto, the incumbent and long-serving political figure, abruptly quit the contest. Known for her influence in NRM women structures and her reputation as a seasoned mobilizer, Wanyoto’s withdrawal sent shockwaves through the gathering.
Delegates had initially expected her to mount a strong defense of her seat. Instead, she pulled out amid protests, leaving her name off the tally sheet entirely. While the reasons for her sudden exit were not formally explained, murmurs of dissatisfaction and discontent among sections of her supporters suggested deep undercurrents within the Women’s League.
Some delegates expressed surprise at the move, noting that Wanyoto’s political experience and network could have made the race far more competitive. Others, however, welcomed her exit, describing it as an opportunity for the League to embrace new leadership and fresh ideas.
In her victory speech, Kobusingye hailed her election as a landmark moment for women’s leadership in the ruling party. She pledged to focus on entrepreneurship and socio-economic transformation as the foundation of her agenda.
“Under entrepreneurship, I believe we can do a women’s Sacco and a women’s league,” she declared, drawing from her personal story of resilience. “I put on my first shoes at the age of 15. Today, at 42 years old, I’m overwhelmed with joy. I’m overwhelmed by women, by God, and by our NRM Party that has nurtured me.”
Kobusingye, a successful entrepreneur with humble beginnings in Bushenyi’s Kyamukunda, vowed to prioritize grassroots empowerment. She argued that financial structures tailored for women, such as cooperatives, could drive genuine transformation in families and communities.
Her victory was reinforced by a strong showing from her allies, including Enid Mwesigye, wife of Col (Rtd) Fred Mwesigye, who won the Vice Chairperson race for Western Uganda with 1,704 votes against Peace Kansiime’s 23 votes.
Observers noted that the back-to-back victories signaled a consolidation of Kobusingye’s camp and a broader appetite for renewal within the Women’s League.
The elections are part of the ongoing NRM SIGs conference, which also includes leadership contests for the Youth League, the Workers’ League, and representatives of Persons with Disabilities, all taking place ahead of the 2026 general elections.
For many delegates, Kobusingye’s win and Wanyoto’s exit together marked both an end and a beginning — the close of a chapter led by a seasoned political actor, and the rise of a new leadership that promises to center women’s economic empowerment and community transformation at the core of its agenda.
