Makoma, Bugiri District – Parliamentary Commissioner Solomon Silwany, best known for being part of a controversial self-award of 400 million shillings in taxpayer funds, has suffered a significant political blow after losing in the NRM village structure elections.
Silwany, who contested for the position of NRM Publicity Secretary in his home village of Makoma, managed to garner just 25 votes.
His challenger, Andrew Muwanika, a local NRM mobiliser with no known public scandals or official title, swept the election with 201 votes, raising eyebrows across Bugiri.
The defeat is seen by many as a sign of waning grassroots support for Silwany, who has represented Bukooli Central in Parliament.
Analysts and local sources suggest that the loss could have broader implications ahead of the 2026 elections — particularly amid growing speculation that former Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister, Justine Kasule Lumumba, is eyeing Silwany’s parliamentary seat.
Lumumba, a seasoned politician and former NRM Secretary General, has strong ties in Bugiri and could pose a serious challenge if she decides to contest.
With public trust shaken by Silwany’s role in the 400 million shillings payout — which he and other parliamentary commissioners awarded themselves — this village-level defeat may mark the beginning of a more difficult political road ahead.
Silwany has not publicly commented on either the election loss or the growing reports of Lumumba’s possible interest in Bukooli Central.
