NELSON K
As political campaigns intensify across the country following their official opening by the Electoral Commission on 10th November 2025, voters in Rujumbura County, Rukungiri District, have begun expressing clear opinions on the candidates contesting for Member of Parliament, Woman MP, and LC5 Chairperson seats.
Vox-pop interviews conducted by Boona FM across Ruhinda, Bwambara, and Nyakagyeme reveal early rankings and predictions based on on-ground campaign activities and voter sentiment.
Speaking to Boona Radio, Byaruhanga Charles Batambura, an NRM cadre from Ruhinda Subcounty, said the area remains calm with minimal campaign activity. He attributed this to the fact that prominent NRM flag bearers—Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo Kebirungi, Hon. Minister Jim Muhwezi Katugugu, and Andrewson Katebire Charles—have not yet held major rallies in Ruhinda, as most of their early activities have been in Bugangari and Bwambara.
Charles said voters are “bored” as they mainly receive opposition candidates whom he described as “too weak to maintain reasonable campaigns.” He added that independent and opposition support has historically been low in Ruhinda, predicting that all NRM flag bearers will retain their seats as victors.
In Kikongi–Bwambara, Onesmus Atuhaire, a voter and political mobilizer, said campaigns are active, with propaganda and dramatic scenes emerging as candidates intensify mobilization.
He identified Hon. Fred Tumuheirwe Turyamuhweza and Hon. Minister Jim Muhwezi as the only serious contenders for the Rujumbura MP seat. According to Onesmus, the two candidates are currently tied at “fifty-fifty” based on visible support on the ground.
However, Onesmus alleged that Minister Muhwezi “may resort to irregularities, intimidation, and vote buying through money distribution” to defeat Hon. Turyamuhweza in the upcoming election.
He also criticized independent candidates such as Murebire Rwendeire, accusing them of being “projects” funded by Gen. Jim Muhwezi to weaken Turyamuhweza’s vote base—claims he says give the incumbent an advantage.
Onesmus further projected results for the LC5 Chairperson race, placing Andrewson Katebire Charles in the lead, followed by Hillary, with Angello in third place.
For the Woman MP seat, he predicted a clear victory for Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo Kebirungi, saying the incumbent, Hon. Medius Kaharata, has been seen mobilizing coordinators “without meaningful support or power.” He ranked the top three as:
Hon. Mary Paula Turyahikayo Kebirungi – leading,
Bamukwasa Betty Muzanira (PFF) – second,
Hon. Medius Natukunda Kaharata – third,
In Nyakagyeme Subcounty, voter and strong mobilizer for Minister Jim Muhwezi, Prosper Muhumuza, said the area has not yet experienced strong campaign rallies. He revealed that he has been assigned to lead a delegation aimed at reconciling independent candidates contesting for the Rujumbura seat so that they can join the Jim Muhwezi camp.
According to Prosper, most independents “have no hopes of winning and are simply testing their luck for future opportunities.” He said discussions will be held “silently” with willing candidates, though no one will be forced, as democracy gives them the right to run.
Boona Radio also interviewed Murebire Junior Rwendeire, one of the independent candidates. He dismissed allegations that he is sponsored by Minister Jim Muhwezi to divide votes.
Rwendeire insisted he is fully self-funding his campaign based on his personal commitment to address unemployment and lobby for essential services—issues he says have affected Rujumbura since his childhood.
