Rukingiri NRM leaders' reconciliation efforts fail ahead of MP nominations

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With only a day left for parliamentary nominations, efforts to reconcile Rukingiri district and municipality NRM politicians and to front only National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag-bearers in the 2026 General Election have failed.

However, presidential advisor on agriculture, Peace Rugambwa, argues that by fronting only NRM flag-bearers, chances of beating Opposition candidates are higher rather than having NRM-leaning independents contesting.

The presidential advisor was addressing the NRM forum meeting at Hotel Riverside in Rukingiri district on Monday, October 20, 2025.

"If we don't unite it will be very difficult to win votes for NRM," Rugambwa told the audience.

She appealed to the councillors who are alleged to be interfering with NRM Members of Parliament flagbearers and supporting independents to stop it because the NRM primaries gave the outcome.

She asked the NRM district leaders, headed by chairperson Gen. Jim Muhwenzi, to resolve the conflicts which has created two camps, one supporting independents and the other NRM flagbearers.

"As long as the leadership is still divided, then the conflict will not be resolved."

According to the analysts, it is alleged that Gen. Muhwenzi is supporting an independent candidate, Medius Kaharaata, to contest as Rukingiri district Woman MP, while Gen. Henry Tumukunde is allegedly supporting Paula Turyahikayo, the NRM flag-bearer.

The meeting, which was called to harmonise the two camps, failed to resolve the conflict of causing independents to bow out of the race and rally behind the flag-bearers.

Muhwezi, who is also the security minister, proposed to call another meeting with the two camps, selecting 10 people each to iron out their differences.

The Electoral Commission has scheduled the nominations of Members of Parliament from October 22-23.

Rugambwa is mobilising support for NRM presidential flagbearer, President Yoweri Museveni and all NRM flagbearers in western region ahead of his campaign trail.

During the meeting, Rugambwa forgave Muhwezi over the past incidents where the district internal security operatives blocked her activities in Rukingiri.

"I have forgiven you and I ask you to forgive me for any mistakes. Let's move forward to canvas votes for candidate Museveni and NRM flagbearers," Rugambwa said.

Muhwenzi is contesting for the Rujumbura constituency MP seat, while Tumukunde is vying for the Rukingiri Municipality MP seat under NRM ticket.

Kaharaata insisted she will be constesting as an independent for the Rukungiri District Woman MP seat, saying the 1995 Constitution recognises independents.

"It's not good to devide people by describing others as made by Japanese and Chinese cars. Reconciliation begins with me and not with the third party. NRM is bigger than all of us, and President Museveni is ours, " Kaharaata said.

She added that let reconciliation come freely and not forced.

Presidential advisor Francis Batinti implored the different camps to embrace reconciliation.

Earlier on the presidential advisor met district officials and security operatives ahead of her mobilisation campaign for President Museveni in 18 districts in western region.