Rwabugumi Wins NRM Rubabo Flag in Tight Race, Beats Rugonde by 133 Votes

Rukungiri: Mathias Mwesigwa Rwabugumi has been declared the official winner of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag for Rubabo constituency following a by-election in six villages in Buyanja and Kebisoni sub-counties.

The by-election followed the NRM Elections Tribunal’s ruling of August 22, 2025, which nullified Rwabugumi’s earlier victory and ordered fresh polls in the cells of Nyakiju, Rugarama, Rusharara, Rweere, and Rwenkuriju in Buyanja, as well as Nyambambo A polling station in Kebisoni.

While announcing the results this afternoon at the district headquarters, Rukungiri District NRM Elections Officer Elias Katureebe declared Rwabugumi the winner with 10,736 votes (23.9%), narrowly defeating Alex Bob Rugonde who garnered 10,603 votes (23.6%) a difference of just 133 votes.

CUE IN… ELIAS….RR

Speaking after being declared winner, Rwabugumi commended voters for trusting him with the NRM flag and thanked security agencies for maintaining peace during the electoral process.

CUE IN… RWABUGUMI……RR

Meanwhile, Rugonde, who accepted the results, attributed his loss to what he termed as voter bribery and announced that he would bounce back as an independent candidate in the 2026 general elections.

CUE IN… RUGONDE…RR

Although the first election had attracted seven candidates, today’s by-election was largely a two-man race between Rwabugumi and Rugonde.