By Andrew Irumba Katusabe [Sankara]
The just-concluded National Resistance Movement (NRM) primary elections for the Burahya County parliamentary seat have taken a dramatic turn, after Hon. Dr. Richard Rwabuhinga (PhD), the current Kabarole District LCV Chairperson and one of the top contenders, formally rejected the results and declared intentions to seek justice through the “Public Court.”
In a detailed public statement dated 19th July 2025, Dr. Rwabuhinga outlined numerous irregularities that he claims marred the credibility of the election. He cited widespread voter bribery, interference by security agencies, multiple voting, result falsification, and intimidation of registrars and agents.
“This election cannot be considered a true reflection of the people’s will. It falls short of the standards of transparency, fairness, and credibility that should govern democratic elections,” Dr. Rwabuhinga said.
THE CANDIDATES AND RESULTS
The hotly contested race for the NRM party flag in Burahya County attracted four candidates:
1. Mr. Enock Mugenyi – Winner, with 22,466 votes
2. Hon. Dr. Richard Rwabuhinga (PhD) – Second place, with 13,869 votes
3. Mr. James Katuramu – Third place, with 2,744 votes
4. Ms. Agnes Baguma – Fourth place, with 876 votes
According to the official tally, Mugenyi secured a commanding lead, defeating Rwabuhinga by 8,597 votes. However, Rwabuhinga contests the results, citing several discrepancies in voter registers and tally sheets.
ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES
In his statement, Rwabuhinga raised ten key issues:
1-Use of unauthorized voters, including minors and non-registered individuals.
2-Multiple voting incidents, particularly in Mugusu Sub County and Mugusu Town Council.
3-Intimidation and bribery of electoral officials, allegedly facilitated by uniformed and plainclothes security personnel.
4-Inflated and falsified results, with some polling stations like Bulyambuzi reporting major inconsistencies between actual votes cast and those recorded.
5-Suspicious gender-based voter turnout disparities, where 11,911 more men than women voted despite elections happening concurrently.
6-Low voter turnout, with only about 40,000 out of 120,000 registered voters participating.
7-Bribery of electoral officers, with claims that sub-county registrars were paid UGX 500,000 each to alter results.
8-Lack of declaration forms, depriving Rwabuhinga’s agents of the ability to verify and confirm vote counts at the grassroots level.
RWABUHINGA’S NEXT MOVE
Rwabuhinga has not ruled out contesting the Burahya County seat in the 2026 general elections as an independent candidate.
“We are considering seeking redress from the public court for a fair verdict. I urge all my supporters to remain calm, vigilant, and firm on the ground as we reflect and prepare for the next course of action,” he said.
Political observers note that if Rwabuhinga does break ranks with the NRM and contests as an independent, the general election could become highly competitive. He enjoys strong name recognition in Kabarole, having served as LCV Chairperson, and could split the NRM vote in the constituency.
Burahya County remains a politically strategic area within Kabarole District, and these developments could significantly influence the district’s broader political dynamics ahead of 2026.
WHO IS ENOCK MUGENYI?
The winner, Enock Mugenyi, is a businessman and political mobiliser with growing popularity, especially among the youth and rural voters. His victory was largely attributed to a strong grassroots campaign and alleged backing by certain influential party elements. Critics, however, point to the irregularities raised by Rwabuhinga as evidence that the process may not have been as clean as portrayed.
Our Tooro Sub-Region Chief bureau Jamilah Kemigisa is on ground and following every development dot to dot and will be giving us timely updates on this and more, including the Bunyangabu Women MP debacle where incumbent and Minister Peace Mutuuzo lost to a new comer. Keep it locked 🔐.
