As Uganda approaches the 2026 general elections, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is facing a pivotal test in Rukungiri District. At the heart of the storm is Maj Gen (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi, whose grip on the NRM in the district is now under serious scrutiny.
NRM mobilizers, including myself, have raised concerns over deepening internal fractures, alleged misuse of mobilization funds, and the fallout from the contentious May 2025 NRM district chairperson elections.
Unless President Yoweri Museveni intervenes, Rukungiri, once an NRM battleground reclaimed, may slip back into opposition hands, particularly with Dr. Kizza Besigye’s enduring political legacy looming large.
The NRM Machinery in Rukungiri: Powerhouse or Paper Tiger?
For decades, the NRM has leveraged a robust grassroots network to maintain political dominance. In Rukungiri, this structure includes village and parish committees elected in April 2025 as per the NRM’s roadmap. Yet these vital organs are now accused of being dominated by Muhwezi loyalists, undermining their credibility.
Minister Muhwezi the NRM Chairperson for Rukungiri, MP for Rujumbura, Security Minister, and Head of the Veterans League, commands immense influence. His wife, Canon Susan Muhwezi, leads the “Team Foot Soldiers,” while other groups like “Team Jim” and “M7 Volunteers” reinforce their dominance. State resources such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and local councils often blur the lines between party and government, further entrenching his power.
While over 1,350 opposition members reportedly defected to NRM in 2024, showcasing Muhwezi’s mobilization prowess, allegations of financial favoritism, electoral manipulation, and factionalism risk tearing the party apart from within.
Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi: A “King” Dividing the Kingdom?
At 74, Minister Muhwezi’s multiple roles raise legitimate concerns about over-centralization of power and declining service delivery. His past is not without controversy: a 2006 Commission of Inquiry linked him to the misuse of over UGX 1 billion from the Global Fund. Though never convicted, these shadows linger, especially in light of ongoing suspicions about misuse of NRM mobilization funds.
The May 2025 NRM chairperson race brought matters to a head. Lt Gen (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde withdrew from the contest, citing voter register manipulation by registrar Jackson Mugarura, a known Muhwezi ally and active ISO officer. This breach of neutrality has led to calls for intervention from ISO Director General Maj Arthur Mugyenyi and the NRM Secretariat.
Delegates reported abductions and violence, pointing to a campaign fueled by intimidation and financial leverage.
Critics within the party describe Muhwezi as “greedy and self-entitled.” Prominent cadres like Ambrose Kibuuka, once close allies, have distanced themselves after being sidelined. While Kibuuka was later offered a vice-chairperson position, many view such appointments as mere tokenism designed to mute dissent, not reward loyalty or merit.
Factional Feuds and Generational Frustrations
The Tumukunde-Muhwezi rivalry has reignited longstanding NRA-era tensions. Tumukunde’s petition to NRM’s Dr. Tanga Odoi remains unresolved, and Muhwezi’s unopposed victory in the 2025 elections only deepened discontent. If Tumukunde runs independently in 2026, the NRM vote could splinter irreparably.
Younger NRM leaders like me are urging President Museveni to retire his Bush War comrades from active politics in Rukungiri. If politics has become about “eating,” we respectfully propose that the President grant them ministerial roles and let younger voices revitalize the district’s leadership.
Service Delivery Suffers Amid Power Struggles
Despite pointing to infrastructure projects like the Kyabahanga Bridge, critics argue that Minister Muhwezi’s grip on power has come at the cost of development. The multiple offices he holds stretch his capacity, and the lack of grassroots engagement is evident.
At a funeral in February 2025, mourners heckled NRM MP Elias Rutahigwa and rejected his remarks about Dr. Besigye’s health, a clear sign of public dissatisfaction.
Opposition Resilience: Besigye’s Shadow Still Looms
Rukungiri has deep opposition roots, most notably through Dr. Kizza Besigye. Even during his 2024–2025 imprisonment on terrorism charges, opposition strength has surged. Events like the December 2024 blocked FDC prayers and ongoing grassroots protests have kept the spirit of resistance alive.
NRM’s internal exclusionary politics, whereby mobilizers not aligned with Muhwezi, Rutahigwa, or Kaharata are dismissed as “NRM B” only strengthens the opposition. As one mourner put it: “The opposition is here, whether Dr. KB is in prison or not.”
Historical defiance in Rukungiri, including the 2017 protests against constitutional amendments and past FDC victories (2016 Rujumbura and 2018 Woman MP By-election), demonstrate that this is not a complacent electorate.
A Call to President Museveni: Intervene Before It’s Too Late
We, the concerned NRM mobilizers and leaders, call on President Museveni to:
- Cancel the disputed May 2025 NRM elections and address Tumukunde’s petition. A transparent re-run could restore party integrity.
- Audit mobilization funds to ensure transparency and stop the weaponization of resources against internal dissenters.
- Empower new leadership across generations. Promising new NRM candidates in Rukungiri must be supported to rebuild trust and improve service delivery.
- Unite the party to counter the growing opposition strength and the symbolic appeal of Dr. Besigye.
Outlook 2026: A Battle for the Soul of Rukungiri
The road to 2026 is uncertain. While Muhwezi’s mobilization infrastructure is formidable and NRM’s state-backed resources provide a strategic edge, the internal rifts, especially generational frustrations and factional infighting threaten to collapse the house from within.
Rujumbura’s history of volatility, Muhwezi lost it in 2016 and reclaimed it in 2021 shows that the electorate is highly persuadable. Discontent at funerals, protests, and blocked opposition activities point to a public ready for change.
If President Museveni does not act decisively, the NRM risks losing Rukungiri not to external enemies, but to internal erosion. The choice is his: preserve the current status quo and risk defeat, or reform the party from within and keep Rukungiri in the NRM fold.
The writer, Kabano Apollo Kyabarongo, is a hopeful for the Rukungiri Municipality Member of Parliament seat.
