Rukungiri Woman MP Hon. Midius Natukunda Kaharata to Contest as Independent in 2026 General Elections
Rukungiri: The incumbent Woman Member of Parliament for Rukungiri District, Hon. Midius Natukunda Kaharata, has announced that she will contest as an independent candidate in the 2026 general elections after rejecting the results of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries held on July 17, 2025.
Hon. Natukunda came second in the race with 34,961 votes, representing 39.5% of the total votes cast. The primaries were won by her political rival Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo, who garnered 46,512 votes, representing 52.6%.
Other candidates in the race included Innocent Kashobera, who came third with 3,172 votes (3.6%), followed by Annah Nuwagaba Tumuramye with 2,667 votes (3.0%). Prize Twinomuhangi and Caledonia Bakironda Musimeenta trailed with 820 votes (0.9%) and 314 votes (0.4%) respectively. A total of 85,274 votes were cast in this district-wide primary election.
While addressing journalists from her office located in Kifunjo Cell, Kyatoko Ward in the Eastern Division of Rukungiri Municipality on July 21, Hon. Natukunda cited massive irregularities as the reason for her decision to reject the results.
She explained that in some areas, the number of voters exceeded the number of registered voters in the official register. She also alleged that her supporters were intimidated and bribed on election day, which undermined the credibility of the entire process.
Hon. Natukunda further claimed that voting was marred by sectarian tendencies, alleging that Catholic voters were influenced to support a candidate chosen by their religious leaders, a situation she believes significantly affected her chances.
Despite her dissatisfaction with the primary results, Hon. Natukunda vowed to remain in the race as an independent candidate in the forthcoming 2026 general elections seeking her second term in the Parliament of Uganda. She called upon her supporters to stay firm and focused, expressing confidence that with determination and unity, they would achieve victory.
CUE IN….MIDIUS…RR//ENG