I have never received Money from Minister Jim Muhwezi -Charleson Batsigira!

Rukungiri: The 2026 aspiring member of Parliament for Rujumbura County Charleson Kwikiriza Batsigira has refuted claims that he received money from Uganda’s security minister Major general (rtd) Jim Muhwezi Katugugu to withdraw from the parliamentary race.

Recently, rumours have been circulating like wildfire in Rujumbura constituency indicating that Kwikiriza received an unspecified amount of money from minister Muhwezi (incumbent Rujumbura County MP) to withdraw from the race and back him.

Speaking to our reporter about the matter on Saturday June 22, 2024, the youthful aspirant Kwikiriza vehemently distanced himself from the claims saying that he has never received any money from the minister and described the rumors as malicious.

He insisted that he is still in the race for Rujumbura County and challenged the minister’s camp to table evidence of the said transaction for the public to verify and incriminate him.

Kwikiriza confirmed to our reporter that he is still in the race and will not withdraw his ambitions for Rujumbura constituency in exchange for money or position from any person.

“I have been hearing these allegations that I received money from Minister Muhwezi to withdraw from the Rujumbura County race. If it is true that I received money from the minister’s camp, they should provide proof of said transaction for the public to verify. I’m here to debunk that claim and ask the public to treat it with the disdain it deserves. I’m still in the race”. Says Kwikiriza.

He asked his supporters to remain steadfast in what he termed as “Mission to rescue Rujumbura 2026” saying such rumours are only a sign indicating that the Minister’s camp is worried of his (Batsigira) youthful and energetic team.

“These people are worried of us, they know our strength, they feel it at the ground. We are focused and will rescue Rujumbura come 2026”.

Our attempts to get a comment from minister Muhwezi were futile as he did not pick our repeated calls.

It remains to be seen who will take the Rujumbura County seat come 2026 but election temperatures have already heated up.