The contest for Kabale District LCV Chairperson has intensified after incumbent Nelson Nshangabasheija broke ranks with the ruling party and entered the 2026 general elections as an Independent candidate.
Nshangabasheija, who was the first to be nominated on Thursday morning by Returning Officer Aisha Nansubuga at Kabale Rukiiko Hall, said he could not accept the outcome of the July 24th NRM primaries which he described as “deeply flawed.”
Official results from the primaries gave Denis Nzeirwe victory with 43,667 votes against Nshangabasheija’s 33,860. But the incumbent rejected the tally, accusing Nzeirwe’s camp of widespread voter bribery, intimidation, and inflating results at several polling stations.
One of the most disputed cases was at Kabarisa polling station in Katuna Town Council, where Nzeirwe reportedly polled 1,878 votes despite the register showing only 377 voters. Similar irregularities were flagged in Central Cell, Bushara Village, and Rugarama Cell.
“The process was hijacked. My strongholds were deliberately destabilized to disenfranchise my supporters,” Nshangabasheija told journalists moments after receiving his nomination papers.
Now contesting under the symbol of a chair, he has vowed to run a peaceful campaign and called on his supporters to remain calm, united, and focused on securing victory at the ballot box.
CUE IN NSHANGABASHEIJA…..ON NOMINATION……RR//
With the incumbent opting to go solo, the Kabale chairmanship race is expected to become one of the fiercest battles in next year’s elections.
