By Andrew Irumba Katusabe
Fort Portal City —In a closely fought political contest, Hon. Alex Ruhunda, the indomitable incumbent Member of Parliament for Fort Portal Central Division, has once again demonstrated his political sagacity and unrivalled grassroots command, by securing the NRM party flag in the just-concluded primaries. With 4,796
votes, against a new entrant Ronald Muwereza, who gannered 3,307 votes, amidst a field of six candidates.
A Trailblazing Political Odyssey: Ruhunda’s Remarkable Trajectory
Ruhunda’s political journey is nothing short of a saga of visionary leadership, underscored by his relentless commitment to public service. Elected in 2011, he etched his name in Fort Portal’s history as the first ever MP from the area to secure more than one parliamentary term—a feat he has repeated consistently. If victorious in the 2026 general election, he will enter an unprecedented fourth term.
His consistent electoral triumphs are not a mere product of party allegiance, but a testament to a legacy of unassailable dedication to the socio-economic transformation of Fort Portal and the broader Tooro sub-region.
Catalyst for Development: Ruhunda’s Imprint on Fort Portal’s Infrastructure and Services
From the nascent days of his political career, Ruhunda embraced his role not as a consumer of the state’s largesse, but as a steward of transformation. His political narrative is hallmarked by tangible deliverables:
Electrification and Water Extension: Through deliberate lobbying and project facilitation, he played a pivotal role in the extension of electricity and piped water to hitherto marginalized parishes like Karambi, Kabusene, and Kisenyi, catalyzing small-scale industry and household security.
Road Network Modernization: Under his watch, Fort Portal witnessed the rehabilitation and tarmacking of key arterial roads such as Mugurusi Road, Kagote-Kasusu-Middle Hill link, and Kitarasa Access Route, easing trade logistics and intra-city mobility.
Education Upliftment: His advocacy has seen public-private educational partnerships, support to scholarships through KRC Foundation, and expansion of facilities in schools.
Sports Empowerment: Ruhunda has financially backed youth sports clubs, notably the Kabarole Football Academy, supported inter-division football tournaments, and lobbied for sports gear and pitch refurbishment.
The Intellectual Paragon: Education and Professional Genesis. Before plunging into Uganda’s volatile political theater, Ruhunda was revered in the non-governmental and development sector. A graduate of Makerere University with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Public Administration, and a postgraduate alumnus of Development Studies, he coupled academic rigor with grassroots acumen.
As the founding Executive Director of Kabarole Research and Resource Centre (KRC), he championed participatory development, policy research, and civic education long before such frameworks were mainstream in Uganda’s decentralization agenda. His leadership at KRC laid the groundwork for platforms like KRC FM and later KRC TV, which he has continued to leverage as instruments of civic enlightenment and youth skilling.
Youth Employment and Mentorship: Harnessing the Next Generation
Ruhunda’s political creed centers on intergenerational mentorship and economic empowerment:
He has been instrumental in connecting local graduates to positions in URA, NIRA, UBOS, and agencies like UIA and UETCL, often mentoring them directly or facilitating placement through his office.
Through the DAJ Youth Empowerment Initiative, he has supported over 2,500 youths with vocational training and entrepreneurial incubation.
He has funded and helped register over 35 SACCOs across Fort Portal, including Karambi Youth Enterprise, Kagote Women Savings Association, and Nyabukara Economic Cluster, which now benefit from Parish Development Model (PDM) funds and government financial linkages.
He’s known to scrutinize business proposals from local youth and SMEs, personally endorsing viable ones to access funding from Microfinance Support Centre and Operation Wealth Creation networks.
Legacy of Integrity and Devotion:
Unlike many of his contemporaries who view politics as a feeding trough, Ruhunda’s political theology is anchored in servant leadership. He remains staunchly incorruptible, with a reputation for being a principled pragmatist who bridges the gap between government policies and community realities.
Even in the face of growing opposition and intra-party rivalries, his ability to muster support across age, class, and tribal divides has solidified him as a political colossus—a man of both strategic foresight and human empathy.
Outlook: Toward the Fourth Term and Beyond
As Ruhunda now dons the NRM flag for the 2026 general election, political pundits believe his odds remain high—not only because of past performance but due to his adaptive political intelligence, capacity to reinvent community engagement, and an unblemished record of ethical leadership.
His fourth term, if attained, would not merely be a personal milestone but a continuation of an epic public service doctrine—one rooted in the unrelenting pursuit of justice, development, and inclusive governance for Fort Portal Central Division and beyond.
“Leadership is not about position, but the conviction to uplift those beneath you,” Alex Ruhunda, the 2016 Pan African Pyramid Award winner believes.
