Rukungiri to Retain Record as No LC5 Chairperson Wins Two Consecutive Terms in 51 Years

Rukungiri: Rukungiri District is set to maintain its long-standing political record of never having an LC5 chairperson serve two consecutive terms since its establishment 51 years ago.

This follows the defeat of incumbent LC5 chairperson Geoffrey Kyomukama by Charles Andrewson Katebire, who was declared the NRM flag bearer for the district LC5 seat.

The announcement was made by the NRM Elections Officer for Rukungiri District Elias Katureebe, on Friday, July 25th at exactly 1:56 PM at the district tally center located in the Rukungiri District Council Hall.

Katebire garnered 29,443 votes, representing 50.0% of the total votes cast, outshining his closest rival and incumbent Kyomukama, who polled 14,869 votes (25.2%). Other contenders included Angello Twinomuhangi with 9,997 votes (17.0%), Denis Mbaasa with 3,038 votes (5.2%), Steven Turibyo with 867 votes (1.5%), and Rwishe Rwabatongore with 704 votes (1.2%). A total of 58,916 votes were cast in the election.

Unless Kyomukama chooses to run as an independent candidate in next year’s general elections, his defeat means Rukungiri will uphold its record of never re-electing a sitting LC5 chairperson for two consecutive terms since the district was first established in 1974. Originally named North Kigezi District, it was renamed Rukungiri District in 1980.

Katebire is no stranger to the LC5 seat, having previously served as district chairperson from 2016 to 2021. He lost that seat to Kyomukama in the 2021 elections, making his latest win a political comeback.

The upcoming term (2026–2031) will see Rukungiri District have its ninth LC5 chairperson since inception.