Bahati, Muhwezi, Mateke Bounce Back as NRM District Chairpersons

Minister of State for Trade David Bahati has re-elected Kabale District National Resistance Movement (NRM) party Chairman.  

In the elections held on Friday at Kabale municipal stadium, presided over by Barbra Ainebyoona, District party registrar, Bahati got 539 votes, defeating former Kabale Municipality MP Andrew Aja Baryayanga. Baryayanga got only 49 votes. 

After being declared the winner, Bahati thanked voters and members of the public for putting trust in him. He promised to promote harmony as he also advocated for the development and implementation of the party manifesto during his tenure. 

Sheikh Kassim Kamugisha, Wakiso Deputy Resident District Commissioner, was disqualified on orders of Dr Tang Odoi, the party’s national electoral commission chairman, from contesting the position of vice chairperson on the grounds that he did not resign from office. 

Kamugisha’s disqualification came as a blessing to Bridget Asinga Tumwesigye, who was declared unopposed.   

In Rukungiri district, Major General Jim Muhwezi Katugugu, Minister for Security, was declared winner with 464 votes. But in the process of voting, Muhwezi’s rival , retired Lieutenant General Henry Tumukunde, pulled out of the race accusing district party electoral commission registrar Jackson Mugarura of being ineligible to preside over the process. 

Tumukude argued that Mugarura, being the Assistant District Internal Security Officer for Rukungiri, is not eligible to preside over any party election.   Tumukunde, who is eyeing the Rukungiri Municipality MP seat, also argues that his supporters were harassed.  

In Rubanda district, Aggrey Monday, the district registrar, declared State Minister for Finance in charge of General Duties, Henry Ariganyira Musasizi as winner after garnering 503 votes. Musasizi defeated Diaz Drake Owoyesigyire, Rubanda district councillor for Hamuhambo town council who got 43 votes. 

Prominent lawyer Jackson Tumwebonere, alias TJ, did not get any votes after he stormed away during the voting process. 

Pierre Mbabazi Ntegyereize, Rubanda District Deputy Speaker, lost the seat of Publicity secretary after garnering only 11 votes. She lost to Geoffrey Tumuhimbise,  Ruhija town council  LCIII Chairman, who got 280 votes. 

In Kisoro district, Philemon Mateke, retired politician and former Minister of State for Regional Affairs, was declared winner by Tadeo Majambere, District party returning officer, with 689 votes. His contender, Gilbert Matsiko, got only 129 votes.  

In Rukiga district, Rukiga District LCV Chairman, Dr. Alexander Kampikaho, was defeated by former Sheema Resident District Commissioner Frank Kyerere Besigye for the district Chairman Seat.  Twaha Selubowa Yalyakumanyi, Rukiga District NRM Party Returning Officer, declared Kyerere winner with 164 votes. Kampikaho got only 60 votes. 

In Kanungu district, Alex Kamukama announced Caleb Kipande Tumwesimire as the winner with 508 votes. Charles Bamuhata Asiimwe got only 57 votes. But, as counting started, Godfrey Karabenda, the incumbent, protested that the process was not transparent and walked away together with his supporters.