Protect your gains by supporting peaceful transition, Muntu tells Rukungiri voters

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Presidential candidate Maj. Gen. (rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu has urged voters in Rukungiri to ‘protect their gains’ by supporting a peaceful transition of power.

Ex-army commander Muntu, who is the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) flag-bearer, appeals to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) supporters to ‘protect their gains’ by facilitating peaceful change of government, and warns that violent means can destroy what citizens have worked hard to earn in the last 40 years under President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.

When National Resistance Movement (NRM) presidential flag-bearer Museveni set out to seek re-election, the political party decided to run the campaign under the theme: Protecting the Gains, Making a Qualitative Leap into High Middle-Income Status.

According to Museveni, the theme means that his re-election means that Ugandans will be defending the gains of peace, unity, and development in the country under his rule.

“Much as other regions think that Western Uganda region has benefitted under President Museveni, there are those whom the regime has clothed in ‘goats’ skins’ to be ‘eaten by the leopards’ when the NRM government falls,” Muntu says.

“Those NRM supporters should be the ones to tell President Museveni that Uganda needs change and that if he retires through elections, nobody will harass them and they will keep enjoying their gains in peace.”

Muntu adds that Uganda needs trustworthy and disciplined leadership to address economic challenges and improve service delivery.

Addressing a campaign rally at Bikurungu town council in Rukungiri district on December 17, 2025, Muntu highlighted the country's persistent challenges, including poor health services, limited learning materials, and food shortages.

Muntu attributed these issues to corruption and poor leadership, pledging to revive Uganda's cooperative movement and establish agricultural banks to support smallholder farmers.

Muntu's message came as Rukungiri voters expressed concerns over healthcare, roads, and the arbitrary detention of former Opposition leader and chairperson of the council of eminent persons of the Peoples’ Front for Freedom (PFF) party, Dr Kizza Besigye.

“I promise to restore the rule of law and justice when elected President in January 2026. We are here to fight for the return of the rule of law. When Dr Besigye was arrested, we waited and he spent 180 days, which called for mandatory bail as per the constitution, but the law was violated, and he is languishing in prison,” Muntu said.

Adding that your son, Sam Mugumya, was arrested in Mbarara in a hotel after a few weeks of declaring his intention to run as Rukungiri municipality Member of Parliament (MP). We shall return civilian rule and rule of law to create a just society.

ANT party has been campaigning across Uganda, emphasising the need for honest governance and accountability.

Muntu promised to prioritise public service reform, improve the welfare of teachers and local government employees, and ensure access to quality healthcare.

Muntu's vision for Uganda focuses on transforming the economy through agriculture, agro-processing and tourism.

He has pledged to allocate 10% of the national budget to agriculture, provide affordable credit to farmers, and establish a cooperative bank to support rural livelihoods.

“We need access to affordable credit facilities, fertilisers, and quality seeds to boost agricultural productivity. We are asking you, Muntu, to give us improved roads, electricity, and clean water to enhance the quality of life,” James Mugarura, a resident, said.

Bonny Kakumba, a resident of Kasenyi-Bendegere, asked Muntu to fight land grabbing.