Lt. Gen. Henry Tumukunde has withdrawn from the Rukungiri District NRM Chairperson election, citing irregularities observed during the electoral process.
Tumukunde, a former Minister of Security, had been contesting against the current Minister of Security, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi Katugugu, and Kabano Apollo.
He stated that his decision to withdraw from the highly contested race followed deep reflection. However, he reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to serving the people of Rukungiri.
Tumukunde revealed that he has petitioned the Chairman of the National NRM Electoral Commission, Dr. Tanga Odoi, and is currently awaiting a response.
   The contest attracted significant attention due to both its political implications and the dynamics of the election process.
Tumukunde also announced plans to pursue legal action against the Rukungiri District NRM registrar, Jackson Mugarura Kiiza. He argued that Kiiza, a civil servant affiliated with the Internal Security Organisation, acted in violation of electoral laws.
Ultimately, Kiiza declared Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi Katugugu as the winner of the chairperson race.
Gen. Jim Muhwezi condemned acts of violence reported during the election. He accused Gen. Tumukunde of attacking his own supporters at Buyanja Grammar Secondary School, an incident that allegedly left the Buyanja Town Council GISO, Dickens Bibyomuriwe, injured and currently receiving treatment at Rukungiri Police Health Centre III.
Reports claimed that some delegates were abducted and taken to Buyanja Grammar Secondary School and Golo Cottages in Kihihi Town Council, Kanungu District. Tumukunde blamed Muhwezi for the alleged abductions. However, Muhwezi dismissed the claims, saying the delegates had coordinated themselves and it was Tumukunde who incited the violence.
On the issue of Jackson Mugarura being a serving intelligence officer, Muhwezi defended him, noting that Mugarura has served as the district registrar for over 25 years and that the election was an internal NRM party matter, not a national electoral commission event.
Muhwezi thanked the delegates who participated in the elections and pledged to strengthen the NRM in Rukungiri, aiming for a 90% victory for the party in the upcoming general elections.
In other results, tycoon Ambrose Kibuka was elected unopposed as vice-chairperson. Paul Rukundo secured the secretary-general position with 323 votes, defeating Henry Niwagaba, who garnered only 56.
The publicity secretary position went to Fred Kabwaira, who received 215 votes, outpacing Edwin Kuteesa Kaziriri with 95 votes and Brian Tumukunde with 17.
Jolly Mashaija was elected finance secretary in a landslide victory over Andrew Niwabaine, winning by 207 votes to 23.
The Source Reports.
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