NRM Sweeps All Parliamentary Seats in Rukungiri District
Rukungiri: The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has swept all parliamentary seats in Rukungiri District, traditionally known as the backbone of opposition politics in Uganda. No opposition or independent candidate won any parliamentary position in the January 15, 2026 general elections.
Rukungiri District is widely known as a stronghold of opposition politics, mainly due to veteran opposition figure Col (Rtd) Dr. Kiiza Besigye, who challenged President Yoweri Museveni in several elections between 2006 and 2016. Dr. Besigye is currently detained at Luzira Prison in Kampala.
Despite this history, all parliamentary seats in Rukungiri District—including Rujumbura County, Rubabo County, Rukungiri Municipality, and the Woman Member of Parliament seat—were won by NRM candidates.
In Rujumbura County, the Electoral Commission declared Retired Major General Jim Muhwezi Katugugu as the duly elected Member of Parliament. The declaration was made on Friday afternoon by the Rukungiri District Returning Officer, Abas Naramara, at the EC tally centre held at the Rukungiri District Council Hall.
Jim Muhwezi of NRM polled 25,005 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Fred Tumuheirwe Turyamuhweza of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), who obtained 23,307 votes.
Other candidates included Ariho Nasasira (FDC) with 439 votes, Gerald Karenzi Kooli (Independent) with 285 votes, Simon Niwagaba (Independent) with 110 votes, and Hillary Tumuhimbise (NUP) with 252 votes.
CUE IN… NAMARA ON RUJUMBURA… ENG
Speaking after his declaration, Jim Muhwezi, who also serves as the Minister for Security, thanked voters for their support and pledged to fulfill his campaign promises.
CUE IN… JIM MUHWEZI… RR//ENG
In Rubabo County, Mathias Mwesigwa Rwabugumi of NRM was declared the winner after securing 16,102 votes. He defeated the incumbent, Naboth Namanya of PFF, who polled 14,780 votes.
Other candidates included Alex Bob Rugonde (Independent) with 13,545 votes, Allan Nabasa (FDC) with 548 votes, Arnest Ngabirano Katara (Independent) with 313 votes, Andrew Niwabine (Independent) with 971 votes, Eunice Nshabamagara (DP) with 55 votes, Moreen Tumwebaze (Independent) with 147 votes, and David Tushabomwe Ndindirize (Independent) with 3,452 votes.
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After being declared, Rwabugumi thanked the voters and called upon those who supported other candidates to join him in working together for the development of Rubabo County and Rukungiri District at large.
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In Rukungiri Municipality, General Henry Kakurugu Tumukunde of NRM was declared the elected Member of Parliament after polling 7,115 votes. He defeated Ingrid Kamateneti Turinawe of PFF, who garnered 6,268 votes.
According to the Returning Officer, other candidates included Wallen Nuwagaba Tumwine (Independent) with 297 votes and Richard Akanyijuka (Independent), who came last with 53 votes.
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Gen. Tumukunde thanked the people of Rukungiri Municipality for trusting him and also appreciated the NRM government for mobilizing support for its candidates during the 2026 general elections.
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For the Woman Member of Parliament seat, the Returning Officer declared Mary Paula Kebirungi of NRM as the winner at around 3:00 a.m. She polled 59,448 votes, defeating the incumbent, Medius Natukunda Kaharata, who obtained 32,794 votes.
Other candidates included former Rukungiri Woman MP Betty Bamukwasa Muzanira (PFF) with 18,227 votes, Innocent Kashobera Nabaasa (Independent) with 1,063 votes, and Christine Tusanyuke (FDC) with 844 votes.
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In her remarks after being declared, Mary Paula Kebirungi thanked her supporters, the Electoral Commission, and security agencies for ensuring peaceful elections throughout the electoral process.
CUE IN… MARY PAULA… RR