Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara faced an uncomfortable political moment in Rukungiri after supporters of detained opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye repeatedly interrupted his address, turning an anti-corruption rally into a confrontation over the veteran politician’s continued detention.
The incident occurred on October 28 at Rukungiri Main Stadium, where Barugahara was conducting his “Expose the Corrupt” campaign across the Kigezi sub-region. What was presented as an initiative to assess the performance of local governments quickly became politically charged as sections of the crowd chanted Besigye’s name and demanded his release.
Barugahara had used the gathering to encourage residents to support Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, in his presidential ambitions. However, the minister’s political message struggled to command attention as demonstrators shifted the focus to the fate of one of Uganda’s most prominent opposition figures.
The repeated chants put Barugahara under pressure to respond to the issue, which has continued to generate controversy among opposition supporters. In an attempt to calm the gathering, he told the crowd that Gen Salim Saleh was leading high-level political discussions aimed at securing Besigye’s release.
The minister’s remarks came against the backdrop of Besigye’s prolonged detention on treason charges following his abduction from Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024, and his subsequent return to Uganda by security operatives.
Besigye’s continued incarceration has remained a rallying point for his supporters, who have repeatedly called for his freedom.Rukungiri was a particularly sensitive location for the minister’s message.
Besigye hails from Rwakabengo in Rukungiri Municipality, making the district a stronghold of personal and political significance for the opposition leader.
Despite the interruptions, Barugahara continued promoting Muhoozi’s presidential ambitions, asking residents to write their names and append their signatures to a list endorsing the military chief.
The confrontation exposed the difficulty of separating Barugahara’s anti-corruption activities from his efforts to rally support for Muhoozi. Although the tour is intended to examine local government performance and expose corruption, its events have increasingly provided platforms for promoting Muhoozi’s political ambitions.
In Rukungiri, however, demands for Besigye’s release overshadowed the minister’s message, demonstrating how deeply the opposition leader’s detention continues to resonate with sections of the public.
