By Our Reporter
RUKUNGIRI – As the country prepares for the 2026 general elections, political tensions are rising.
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has already released its electoral roadmap, and soon, they will conduct primaries to elect flag bearers for various positions.
The situation is even more tense in Rukungiri, where sources indicate that internal issues have long plagued the NRM leadership in the district. These range from internal infighting that has escalated into unresolved misunderstandings, starting with the District Executive Committee (DEC), which has been under the leadership of the current Minister of Security, Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi, who also doubles as the Member of Parliament for Rujumbura constituency.
A well-placed source revealed that Gen. Muhwezi no longer sees eye to eye with his vice-chairperson, Andrewson Kateebire, the former Rukungiri District LC5 chairperson.
The disagreement dates back to 2016 when Gen. Muhwezi was kicked out of Parliament by FDC’s Fred Turyamuhweza. During Muhwezi’s absence from Parliament, Kateebire, as the LC5 chairperson, was in charge, and it was during this time that the District Roads Committee (DRC) was operationalized. As the local government chairperson, Kateebire was entitled to nominate members to the district roads committee.
However, it is alleged that Gen. Muhwezi later approached Kateebire and demanded to be nominated as the chairperson, or at least a member, of the committee. Kateebire is said to have ignored this request and instead nominated his rival, Turyamuhweza, which allegedly angered Gen. Muhwezi and led to a rupture in their relationship.
Before this, Gen. Muhwezi was also reportedly at odds with NRM DEC Secretary, Dr. Alex Kamugisha. Their tensions worsened when Dr. Kamugisha attempted several times to inform Gen. Muhwezi about the NRM organizational structure in the district. It is alleged that Gen. Muhwezi ignored Dr. Kamugisha’s attempts to arrange DEC meetings, which caused further bitterness. Dr. Kamugisha eventually severed ties with Muhwezi, accusing him of mismanaging party leadership.
These internal struggles are believed to have contributed to the poor performance of NRM candidates in the 2018 Rukungiri District Woman MP by-elections, where Betty Muzanira defeated Hon. Winfred Matsiko. Sources suggest that this outcome angered President Museveni, who had allegedly injected over Shs 5 billion into the by-election.
In 2020, Gen. Muhwezi attempted to regain control of Rujumbura. It has been reported that he intercepted a young and vibrant NRM cadre, Ambrose Kibuka, who had already established a strong presence at the grassroots level. Gen. Muhwezi allegedly convinced Kibuka to run for the NRM district chairmanship, promising his support in Kibuka’s bid for the Rujumbura constituency seat.
However, these elections never took place, and since then, Gen. Muhwezi has retained his positions as the NRM district chairperson, Rujumbura MP, Minister for Security, and NRM CEC member representing veterans.
Rumors suggest that Gen. Muhwezi never rewarded Kibuka for his loyalty. There are claims that Kibuka was promised the chairmanship position after Gen. Muhwezi’s retirement, which would be between 2021 and 2031. Furthermore, it is said that Gen. Muhwezi promised Kibuka he would help him meet the president, but this promise never materialized.
We have since learned that Kibuka has moved on and is now focusing on grassroots mobilization to unseat Gen. Muhwezi in the 2026 elections. Information reaching our news desk also indicates that Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde is active in the district, eyeing the Rukungiri Municipality MP seat and possibly the district’s NRM leadership.
Reports suggest that Tumukunde is doing everything he can to challenge Gen. Muhwezi and is seen as a potential unifier for the district’s leadership, with many believing he could do a better job than Muhwezi.
Gen. Muhwezi’s camp is reportedly aware that they are in a tough fight. To avoid further humiliation, Gen. Muhwezi is said to be attempting to convince Kibuka to abandon his grassroots mobilization for the Rujumbura seat and instead run for the NRM chairmanship, promising him support.
Political analysts believe this is a strategy to eliminate Kibuka from the general elections, as NRM leaders are already following their roadmap, and if Kibuka runs for the chairmanship and loses or wins, he would no longer be able to contest the Rujumbura NRM primaries against the likes of Rukanirwa and Gen. Muhwezi.
FACTS ON THE GROUND
Reliable information suggests that while Gen. Muhwezi has been a key player in Rukungiri’s political scene, he has done little to unite NRM members in the district. Instead, it is alleged that he has employed a strategy of silencing those with opposing views. Many claim he has mastered the art of compromising and frustrating his political opponents.
Recent reports indicate that some NRM members were shocked to see Gen. Muhwezi attending a function at Dr. Kamugisha’s home, an event also attended by Andrewson Kateebire, which some view as an act of false pretension by Gen. Muhwezi.
Regarding the prospect of Ambrose Kibuka running for NRM district chairmanship, sources suggest that many NRM members now support Gen. Tumukunde, citing that Kibuka is still a junior in leadership and not ready to take on the mantle.
After Gen. Muhwezi’s fall from grace in 2016, many believed he had learned a lesson and would return stronger in 2021. However, some say he has failed to improve services in key areas such as health, infrastructure, and education. As a result, the electorate is now determined to oust him in 2026.
It has also been suggested that Gen. Muhwezi’s relationship with the ‘Big Man’ (President Museveni) has soured since the Global Fund issues. His wife, Susan, reportedly played a crucial role in securing his ministerial position in 2021, but after assuming the position, she is said to have focused less on the electorate.
Some sources claim that Rukungiri could shift back to opposition in 2026, with the recent incarceration of Kiiza Besigye, the attack on Rukungiri Municipality MP Elias Rutahigwa, and another incident involving Medius Kaharata being viewed as indicators that both the Woman MP and Municipality seats might fall to the opposition.
Moreover, if tensions in Rujumbura persist and Muhwezi’s opponent runs as an independent while Turyamuhweza contests as FDC, it could split NRM support, and Turyamuhweza might defeat NRM. In Rubaabo, Namanya Naboth remains unchallenged.
We will continue to monitor the situation closely, but it is evident that Gen. Muhwezi faces a tough road ahead, and his retirement from Rukungiri politics may be imminent.
