Independent Candidate Defeats NRM in Rukungiri District Speakership Race

Rukungiri: The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party suffered a setback in the Rukungiri District speakership elections after independent candidate Albert Ahabwe, popularly known as Rwamugata, defeated former Speaker James Turyamuboona.

Albert Ahabwe, who represents Buyanja Sub-county, won the race with 21 votes, while James Turyamuboona, who has served as Speaker for the last 10 years, received 15 votes.

In the deputy speakership race, Phionah Nakunda of the PFF party defeated NRM’s Macklin Sabiiti Turyamusima. Nakunda, who is also the PFF Vice Chairperson of Rukungiri District and represents Nyakagyeme Sub-county and Rwerere Town Council, secured 19 votes against Macklin Sabiiti’s 17 votes in the second round of voting.

The election process on May 20, was dramatic after Bugangari Sub-county councillor William Ngabirano raised concerns about Albert Ahabwe’s candidature. Ngabirano asked the Chief Magistrate of Ntungamo District, Gordson Musinguzi, who was presiding over the election, to block Ahabwe from contesting. He argued that although Ahabwe ran as an independent candidate, he is an NRM member, which he claimed was against the NRM party constitution.

However, other councillors, including Brian Bantu of Nyarushanje Sub-county, defended Ahabwe. They argued that the speakership election was being conducted under the supervision of the Uganda Electoral Commission and not the NRM party.

In his ruling, Chief Magistrate Gordson Musinguzi allowed the election to proceed, stating that Albert Ahabwe was legally eligible to contest.

During the deputy speakership election, the first round ended in an 18-18 tie between Phionah Nakunda and Macklin Sabiiti Turyamusima. Newly elected Speaker Albert Ahabwe, who presided over the second round, guided that the law required another vote to be conducted until a winner was obtained.

In the second round, Phionah Nakunda emerged victorious with 19 votes, defeating Macklin Sabiiti Turyamusima, who received 17 votes.