Thousands of National Resistance Movement (NRM) mobilizers in Southwestern Uganda have raised concern over unpaid dues, accusing Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture and Local People, Peace Rugambwa, of failing to compensate them for campaign work.
The mobilizers say they played a key role in securing President Yoweri Museveni’s 71 percent victory in the recent elections but have gone months without full payment.
Sources indicate that more than 3,000 mobilizers were recruited across at least 13 districts, including Mitooma, Bushenyi, Rwampara, Sheema, Ntungamo, Isingiro, Rukungiri, Kanungu, Kisoro, Rubanda, Kabale, and Rukiga.
They reportedly worked for over 25 days at agreed daily rates ranging between Shs 20,000 and Shs 100,000. However, many claim they were only paid for two days, leaving an estimated balance of Shs 2.4 billion.
The affected mobilizers, operating from parish to district level under initiatives such as “Team Peace Rugambwa,” allege that their coordinator has since gone silent. They claim calls have gone unanswered, contacts blocked, and explanations given that funds had not yet been released from higher authorities.
Collins Mumpe, who headed the advance team and also leads Team Peace Rugambwa in Mitooma District, alleges that he was sidelined after pushing for payment of the mobilizers.
He says more than 300 mobilizers specifically in Mitooma alone are demanding over Shs 103 million and are now calling for government intervention.
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Rugambwa was a visible figure during the NRM campaigns across Southwestern Uganda, where she frequently mobilized support and distributed resources to grassroots supporters.
Last Month, vendors at Kabale Central Market also accused Rugambwa of failing to fulfill a Shs 100 million pledge. Peninah Nabimanya, Vice Chairperson of the Kabale Central Market Boona Bageigahare Association, says that vendors were mobilized, organized into 11 sections, and required to complete documentation in anticipation of receiving the funds.
However, she says no money has been received, leaving association leaders under pressure from members demanding accountability.
Frustrated vendors reportedly attempted to seek answers from Rugambwa at her residence but were turned away without a clear response.
The current allegations mirror earlier controversies linked to Rugambwa between 2018 and 2021 involving the Boona Bagaigahare Nyekundire Group, a poverty alleviation initiative.
Residents across several districts accused the group of collecting registration fees from thousands of participants with promises of support items that were never delivered. The matter drew attention from security officials, including Jim Muhwezi, and reportedly prompted investigations.
Rugambwa has previously denied wrongdoing in past allegations.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Rugambwa were unsuccessful, as her known phone contacts were unavailable. By press time, neither the NRM Secretariat nor State House had issued an official statement regarding the latest payment claims.
