EDITOR
Tension is rising within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Rukungiri District as fresh allegations emerge against the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (DRDC), Ahimbisibwe Wilberforce Ongom, for orchestrating divisions among party supporters and turning his office into a partisan political machinery in favor of selected candidates.
Ongom, who constitutionally holds a non-partisan security oversight role, is now accused of becoming the de facto campaign agent of Rujumbura County MP Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi, openly siding with a few aspirants while actively de-campaigning others, notably Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo, the Rukungiri District Woman MP aspirant.
According to Article 203(2) of the Constitution of Uganda, “A Resident District Commissioner shall not take part in partisan politics.” This provision, supported by the Code of Conduct for Public Officers, clearly prohibits RDCs and DRDCs from engaging in any political campaign or activity that favors specific candidates. However, Mr. Ongom’s recent activities blatantly violate this legal mandate.
Secret Meeting Exposes DRDC’s Political Bias
Reliable sources who attended a closed-door meeting held this past Thursday revealed that DRDC Ongom, along with Jim Muhwezi’s political assistant, Mr. Isaac Kaharuza, hosted selected Nyakagyeme subcounty NRM leaders. The purpose of the meeting was not development or public service coordination, as his office demands, but a political rallying call to back Maj. Gen. Jim Muhwezi and Hon. Medius Kaharata, while discrediting and sidelining Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo.
An insider who preferred anonymity for fear of retaliation disclosed damning details:
“As subcounty NRM leaders, we are the ones who lead Jim’s mobilizers, with Ongom at the top. Although he was not the one who initially gave the message of voting out Paula, he did second the idea. The team is composed of all subcounty chairpersons across various categories, along with Isaac Kaharuza and Rwamugaata, under Ongom’s leadership. The message they instructed us to spread was “Paula out, Kaharata in,” but most of us disagreed with it during the meeting.”
Corruption, Media Manipulation & Character Assassination
Allegations against Mr. Ongom extend beyond favoritism. Sources claim he has colluded with security officers and certain media outlets in the district to orchestrate negative stories targeting aspirants seen as political threats to Gen. Muhwezi’s camp.
Most recently, this strategy was evident in a manipulated narrative accusing alleged campaign agents of Gen. Henry Tumukunde of inciting political violence in Kakonkoma, Rukungiri Municipality. However, Gen. Tumukunde vehemently denied the claims, saying:
“These are orchestrated attempts to create fear and discredit my supporters. We are running a peaceful campaign focused on ideas and development.”
This coordinated smear campaign, reportedly backed by Ongom’s influence over police and district intelligence, has alarmed neutral NRM members who now fear a return to intimidation and political patronage.
A Former Opposition Mole?
Further staining Ongom’s record is his controversial political past. Sources within the NRM hierarchy reveal that Ongom, a former FDC sympathizer, only crossed over to the NRM for personal survival. During the recent reshuffles of RDCs and DRDCs, Ongom’s name was initially transferred from Rukungiri to Kihihi-Rukungiri, which confused the public because it was a non-existent place, sending him into panic mode.
“He was seen pacing the corridors of power in Kampala, phone glued to his ear, begging every “Gamba Nogu” he knew to lobby for his retention,” a source revealed.
This survivalist loyalty now appears to be the root of his blind support for powerful figures like Gen. Jim Muhwezi, regardless of the cost to party cohesion and constitutional guidelines.
Growing Discontent & Warnings from Party Members
Grassroot NRM supporters who spoke to our reporter anonymously expressed growing disillusionment with Ongom’s methods.
“This man is dividing the party. Instead of uniting us, he’s creating camps. If the president does not act fast, Ongom will hand Rukungiri back to the opposition,” one concerned NRM elder warned.
Another added:
“He is no longer a public servant. He’s Jim’s campaigner. We cannot trust him to manage security or ensure free and fair primaries. Let him resign and officially join politics if that’s his mission.”
Many now fear that Ongom’s actions could embolden emerging opposition groups like People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), who are capitalizing on the growing frustration among NRM’s traditional base.
A Call to the President
As the NRM prepares for a heated election season in 2026, the party’s internal stability in Rukungiri is at stake. Political observers are calling upon President Yoweri Museveni, the party’s national chairman, to urgently investigate DRDC Ahimbisibwe Wilberforce Ongom’s conduct and enforce constitutional order.
Failure to act may result in further fragmentation of the party in Rukungiri, with possible ripple effects in the wider Kigezi sub-region.
