Buhweju, Uganda – A section of Buhweju County MP Francis Mwijukye’s loyal supporters has defected to his rival, Grace Agaba Byaruhanga, a rising political figure contesting for the Buhweju County MP seat.
This happened on Thursday during the launch of Agaba’s campaigns at Ntsika Town Council Playground. The defectors openly declared that they had abandoned Mwijukye’s camp, accusing him of making empty promises and failing to improve service delivery in the area.
Buhweju is one of the most remote and hard-to-reach districts in Western Uganda and remains severely underdeveloped. It is the only district in the region without a single tarmac road, a situation that has crippled economic activities. Health and education services are also inadequate, contributing to high poverty levels among residents.
Locals attribute the poor living conditions partly to political conflicts that have sabotaged service delivery. One resident noted that when Buhweju was dominated by the opposition under MP Mwijukye, government officials and other influential figures in the district began fighting him, limiting his ability to lobby for services. Voters now say Buhweju needs political change “especially at the parliamentary level” to elect a representative who can easily work with the sitting government.
“We cannot live in deception forever. I have been a loyal supporter of MP Mwijukye and even part of his main mobilization team. But I left because of his deception and failure to fulfill promises,” said Nicolus Ahimbisibwe from Omukayenje–Kankara.
“Some time back, he promised that the Karushuruza–Kashar road and the Omukatooma–Kibingo road up to the border of Mbarara District would be rehabilitated starting July 1st this year. He told us the money was already on the account. But up to now, nothing has been done. I am a boda boda rider and a waragi trader, and these poor roads have frustrated my business. I am tired. I have joined Grace Agaba, she might be better than Mwijukye.”
Dorothy Kyoshabire from Rugaba Ward in Ntsika Town Council said the district made a mistake by embracing the opposition, which she claims crippled service delivery.
“It’s a regret that we accepted FDC here. Our MP is FDC, but the party does not work with the government in power or reach the President. That has left us behind compared to neighboring constituencies. I have been supporting Mwijukye, but I later realized he cannot deliver. As a woman, I see hope in Grace Agaba. She supports the President and will easily access big offices to lobby for us. Our agriculture products fetch low prices because of poor roads and lack of market lobbying. This time, let’s change our leadership,” Kyoshabire said.
Agaba is an NRM-leaning independent candidate contesting for the Buhweju County MP seat against the incumbent Francis Mwijukye of FDC and other candidates in the race.
