Mwesigwa Mathias Rwabugumi has been declared winner of the Rubabo County NRM party by-election in Rukungiri District, reclaiming his position as the party flag bearer.
The by-election followed the nullification of Rwabugumi’s earlier victory in the July 17, 2025, primaries, after a petition by his rival, Alex Bob Rugonde.
The NRM Elections Tribunal faulted the process in six villages, Nyakiju, Nyamambo, Rwere, Rugarama, Kisharara (all in Buyanja Sub-county), and Nyamambo Cell in Kebisoni Town Council, ordering fresh polls.
On Monday, Rukungiri District NRM Elections Officer, Elisa Katureeba, declared Rwabugumi the winner with 10,736 votes, narrowly defeating Rugonde who polled 10,603 votes.
Other contenders trailed as follows:
Busingye Doreen – 7,714 votes
Ngabirano Katara – 4,421 votes
Twebaze Doreen – 1,906 votes
Twinomujuni Justus – 104 votes
With the declaration, Rwabugumi is now the official NRM flag bearer for Rubabo County ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Meanwhile, in Ntungamo Municipality, the NRM primaries ended in controversy after four of five aspirants boycotted the re-run, accusing the Electoral Tribunal of bias.
Incumbent MP Yonah Musinguzi emerged unchallenged, securing 5,740 votes (71%), after his closest challenger, Philip Ankwasa, pulled out midway citing unfairness.
Other aspirants, Michael Katureebe, Edward Beyendeza, and Eric Kacafu Nuwagira, boycotted altogether, insisting fresh elections should have been held in all 13 villages where chaos was previously reported, not just seven.
“The tribunal only picked seven and left out six, yet all had irregularities. That was deliberately done to give Musinguzi an easy win,” the boycotting candidates said in a joint statement.
Despite the boycott and low voter turnout, Musinguzi’s camp celebrated, with supporters describing his victory as “long overdue.”
His representatives, Henry Bikwasizeho and Jane Mpirwe, revealed that the MP’s health has improved after treatment in Kenya and that he is “ready to serve Ntungamo with renewed energy.”
Declaring the results, NRM Returning Officer Maria Mirembe confirmed Musinguzi as the party’s official flag bearer.
However, with rivals vowing to consult their supporters and explore further appeals, political analysts warn that the boycott and voter apathy could hurt the NRM’s credibility in Ntungamo as the 2026 general elections draw closer.
