The National Resistance Movement (NRM), Uganda’s ruling party since 1986, faces a critical test in Rukungiri District as the 2026 elections approach. Concerns from NRM mobilizers like kabano Apollo Kyabarongo highlight deep divisions, driven by Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi’s dominance, allegations of misused mobilization funds, and a contentious May 2025 district chairperson election.
You’ve warned President Yoweri Museveni not to take Rukungiri’s NRM team for granted, describing Muhwezi as a “king” whose leadership fosters “rotten roots” in the party, potentially paving the way for the opposition—particularly Dr. Kizza Besigye’s opposition Team to reclaim this historic stronghold. This article examines Muhwezi’s influence, the NRM’s internal fractures, and whether these issues could cost the party Rukungiri in 2026.
The NRM’s Powerhouse Structure in Rukungiri
The NRM’s organizational strength has long secured its dominance in Ugandan politics, but cracks are showing in Rukungiri, a district with a strong opposition legacy.
Grassroots Network: Village and parish committees, elected in April 2025 per the NRM’s 2025/2026 roadmap, drive local mobilization. These structures are critical for rallying voters but face accusations of being controlled by Muhwezi’s loyalists.
District Leadership: Muhwezi, Rukungiri’s NRM chairperson and Rujumbura MP, leads party efforts, backed by teams like Team Jim and M7 Volunteers. His wife, Canon Susan Muhwezi, heads Team Foot Soldiers, amplifying his influence. The NRM leverages state resources like the Parish Development Model (PDM) and local councils, blurring party-state lines to maintain control.
Historical Success: In 2021, Muhwezi reclaimed Rujumbura from the FDC, and over 1,350 opposition members defected to NRM in 2024, showcasing his mobilization prowess.
Despite these strengths, allegations of financial influence and factionalism threaten to undermine the NRM’s grip.
Muhwezi’s Dominance: A “King” Dividing the Party?
Hon Muhwezi as a “king” holding multiple roles at 74 years ,NRM chairperson, Rujumbura MP, Head of Veterans League and Security Minister reflects concerns about his outsized control and its impact on party unity and service delivery.
Alleged Financial Misuse Past Scandals: In 2006, a Commission of Inquiry implicated Muhwezi in misusing over UGX 1 billion from the Global Fund, raising questions about his financial accountability. Though not convicted, this history fuels suspicions about his handling of NRM mobilization funds.
2025 NRM Election Irregularities: The May 2025 NRM chairperson election saw Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde withdraw, alleging voter register manipulation by registrar Jackson Mugarura, a Muhwezi ally who doubles as an ISO operative tasked with National security ,intelligence and the same time coordinate NRM Party Elections in Rukungiri its as if Rukungiri constitutional matters never apply, clear as it is serving ISO officers must not participate in partisan political activities .Rukungiri is waiting for guidance or action from our New DG ISO Maj Arthur Mugyenyi and NRM Secretariat and we a pleased to say we have confidence in you and the system.
Reports of delegate abductions and violence suggest resources may have been used to secure loyalty, aligning with the claim that security Minister Hon Muhwezi uses funds to divide dissenters.
critique of Muhwezi as “greedy and self-entitled” echo NRM concerns, suggesting funds favor his loyalists, alienating figures like Ambrose Kibuuka, who turned against him after unfulfilled promises but in recent elections was comforted with the Vice Chairperson Seat NRM MAIN stream Rukungiri District to NRM support and mobilisers these are cadres in the party just for profit and Not Loss Accounts.
Factionalism and Rivalry: Muhwezi vs. Tumukunde: The 2025 election, dubbed a “battle of titans,” reignited old NRA rivalries, with Tumukunde’s petition to Dr. Tanga Odoi highlighting distrust in Muhwezi’s camp. His unopposed victory left lingering resentment, risking vote-splitting if Tumukunde runs independently in 2026.
Generational Divide: Younger leaders like Kabano Apollo Kyabarongo, who reportedly urged H.E Museveni to relive his Bush Comrades the Generals from Politics inside Rukungiri, reflect frustration with Muhwezi’s dominance. Our call for change aligns with this push for new leadership. If it’s about the “EATING” we request President Museveni to give them Two Ministerial Jobs each and leave Rukungiri Politics.
Service Delivery Concerns: While Muhwezi touts projects like the Kyabahanga Bridge, critics argue his focus on power consolidation neglects development and the many positions he holds derail service delivery in Rukungiri District. The February 2025 funeral backlash, where mourners rejected NRM MP Elias Rutahigwa’s claims, underscores public dissatisfaction. This “king-like” control, coupled with allegations of divisive tactics, has created “rotten roots,” as described, weakening NRM’s unity.
Opposition Strength: Besigye’s Shadow Looms Large.
Rukungiri’s history as an opposition stronghold, led by Dr. Kizza Besigye, makes it a battleground. Despite Besigye’s imprisonment on terrorism charges in 2024–2025, opposition momentum persists, fueled by public actions and NRM’s vulnerabilities and huge sums of money in circulation that end up in local Bars.
Symbols of Resistance, Protests and Prayers: In December 2024, FDC supporters planned prayers for Besigye, blocked by police, highlighting resistance to NRM-aligned authorities. Leaders like Betty Muzanira condemned this as unequal treatment, rallying opposition support.
NRM party structures in Rukungiri District equally was a sign of unequal treatment where by as long as you were not in the camp and chain of the incumbents Hon Muhwezi, Hon Rutahigwa and Hon Kaharata despite your ability to mobilise for NRM you would not go through and would you be labeled NRM B, to them this was a victory that we term as selfish individualism ,favoritism and not in support of NRM as a Party. Hence strengthening opposition unity as most participants said “Opposition is here whether Dr KB is out of prison or not”.
Public Outcry at a February 2025 funeral, mourners rejected NRM claims about Besigye’s health, forcing Rutahigwa to end his speech, a clear sign of anti-NRM sentiment.
Historical Defiance: 2017 protests against constitutional amendments showed Rukungiri’s opposition roots, a legacy that endures. FDC’s Resilience.
Past Victories: The FDC’s 2016 win in Rujumbura and 2018 Woman MP by-election prove Rukungiri’s potential to swing when NRM falters.
Our appeal to President Museveni to intervene in politics of Rukungiri for free and fair play without impunity and Fear of the Gun and Money Bags.
Our appeal to Voters please rally against all incumbent MP’s from Rukungiri District in 2026 reflect on your deep frustration fight with your constitutional rights not to send them back to parliament as Representatives of the people of Rukungiri advocate for one term of office is write for Rukungiri and make it a strategic plan to pressure NRM leadership. Support younger leaders who challenge the “old guard,” voters seek for change this is the only chance we get every five years.
Feasibility Rujumbura’s Volatility: Muhwezi’s 2016 loss to FDC’s Hon Fred Turyamuhweza and 2021 comeback show Rujumbura’s electorate is persuadable. Aligning with Tumukunde’s supporters or opposition candidates could split NRM votes. Grassroots Support sentiments and incidents like the funeral backlash indicate public discontent, providing fertile ground for our mobilization efforts.
Risks: Hon Muhwezi’s Power, His control over NRM structures and defection drives (e.g., 504 FDC members in 2024) makes opposition risky. Retaliation could isolate NRM group.
Chairman Museveni’s Loyalty: Museveni’s trust in Muhwezi, reinforced by his 2021 ministerial role, suggests reluctance to act against him, potentially undermining our leverage.
We call for H.E Museveni to address Rukungiri’s issues come 2026 stakes. Cancel the 2025 Election address Tumukunde’s petition and hold a transparent re-run could restore trust, as seen in grassroots demands in other districts like Kayunga.
Audit Mobilization Funds: Redirecting funds to neutral leaders or committees, rather than Hon Muhwezi’s camp, could ensure fair allocation and reduce division.
Empower New Leadership: Elevate new breed and all Promising upcoming NRM contestants in Rukungiri District could bridge generational gaps and refocus on service delivery.
Counter Opposition Momentum: A united NRM, leveraging PDM and defection drives, is critical to counter opposition ’s grassroots strength and Besigye’s symbolic appeal.
2026 Outlook: A Tightening Race, The NRM’s divisions in Rukungiri, driven by Muhwezi’s alleged financial tactics and the Muhwezi-Tumukunde rivalry, create a window for the opposition to reclaim the district. The threat to mobilize against Muhwezi in Rujumbura could amplify this, especially with opposition enduring support and Dr Besigye’s symbolic power.
The challenges remain, H.E Museveni’s Loyalty and history of rewarding Hon Muhwezi suggests hesitation to intervene decisively. Muhwezi’s mobilization infrastructure is vital, and sidelining him risks disrupting it.
However, NRM’s organizational strength, defection successes, and state-backed resources make an outright loss unlikely unless internal fractures deepen. H.E Museveni must heed our call cancell disputed elections, audit funds, or empower new leaders to unify the party and counter the opposition’s momentum. Without action, the “rotten roots” described could cost NRM Rukungiri in 2026.
A Critical Crossroads for NRM in Rukungiri:
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Rukungiri District stands at a pivotal moment as the 2026 elections loom. Our impassioned appeal as NRM mobilizers highlights the deepening cracks in the party’s foundation, driven by Maj. Gen. (Rtd) Jim Muhwezi’s dominant yet divisive leadership, allegations of misused mobilization funds to fight NRM with in Rukungiri, and the fallout from the contentious May 2025 District Chairperson election. Muhwezi’s “king-like” control, marked by reported electoral irregularities and factionalism with rivals like Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Henry Tumukunde, risks alienating grassroots supporters and fueling public discontent, incidents like the February 2025 funeral backlash. This disunity threatens to erode NRM’s hold on Rukungiri, a historic opposition stronghold where Dr. Kizza Besigye’s opposition force remains a potent force, bolstered by public protests and prayers despite his imprisonment.
Chairman Museveni please offer a path to restore party unity and trust in Rukungiri. While Hon Muhwezi’s mobilization successes, including 2021 victories and over 1,350 FDC defections in 2024, demonstrate his value, his tactics and the “rotten roots” could hand the opposition an opportunity to reclaim Rukungiri. The NRM’s state-backed resources and organizational strength provide a formidable edge, but without addressing these internal fractures, the party risks losing ground in a District ripe for opposition gains. H,E Museveni must act decisively to unify Rukungiri’s NRM, or the 2026 elections may see the opposition, fueled by Dr Besigye’s enduring legacy, turn division into victory.
by Kabano Apollo Kyabarongo
Aspiring MP Rukungiri Municipality.
