Why Muntu called off campaigns in Bundibugyo, Ntoroko

Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) Presidential flag-bearer Maj. Gen. (rtd) Gregory Mugisha Muntu has, for the umpteenth time, postponed campaigns.

It should be noted that Muntu, a former army commander, was scheduled to campaign in Bushenyi District on October 6. However, upon learning of the presence of another candidate, he was rescheduled. 

Now, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, Muntu was meant to campaign in the Rwenzori region districts of Bundibugyo and Ntoroko, but didn't. Something, he attributed to logistical hiccups during a press conference at Lisieux Hotel in Fort Portal City.

“We have now decided to write to EC to reschedule because there are some free days we have in January and December, and we will be able to reschedule those two districts,” he said.

“Tomorrow (Wednesday), we will continue with Kabarole rural and then will be back in Fort Portal city next year in January,” Muntu added.

Fast forward, he conveyed apologies to the supporters who were waiting for him over there. Ntoroko is one of the areas, which were hit by floods in 2019, after which the Government promised to relocate close to 9,000 victims. However, this has reportedly not happened, something Muntu attributed to corruption.

"One of the areas we intended to visit in Ntoroko is Kanara," he confirmed.

Cocoa production

Away from their challenges, the two districts remain the backbone of Uganda’s cocoa production. The perennial crop performs best in rainy tropical regions with an average annual temperature of 30–32°C. It thrives under shade and in areas receiving 1,500mm to 2,000mm of annual rainfall.

Apparently, it is Uganda’s fourth-largest commodity export after coffee, tea and fish.

According to the Finance Ministry’s Performance of the Economy Report (March 2025), cocoa export earnings reached $68.7 million (approximately shillings 250 billion) by February 2025.

As of June 30, 2022, the country had exported 37,868 metric tonnes valued at $93.03 million (about shillings 353.3 billion), according to a March 2025 newsletter by the agriculture ministry.

Farmers bear brunt

However, despite the impressive growth, the cocoa sector continues to face significant challenges, particularly in Bundibugyo District, where unscrupulous individuals exploit farmers by collecting their cocoa on credit and later claiming it was stolen.

Recently, cocoa worth about shillings one billion, collected from more than 300 farmers in Ntoroko and Bundibugyo, was allegedly stolen while in transit around Maganjo, Kampala.

Over ten suspects were arrested, and a few tons of cocoa were recovered. During the course of investigations, Kampala Metropolitan North Police managed to trace only shillings 20 million, which had been deposited into suspects’ accounts, while the rest of the proceeds had already been withdrawn.

Uncertainty remains over whether the affected farmers will ever be compensated.

Part of the stolen cocoa was later recovered in Ntenjeru sub-county, Mukono district.

In a separate incident, another consignment was hijacked along the Northern Bypass near Naalya and later found in Namugongo, stored in a warehouse owned by alleged businessmen who also collect cocoa from farmers on credit.

District profile

Bundibugyo, which was originally named Semuliki district, alongside Kasese district, were carved from Greater Kabarole in 1974. Before, later in July 2010, Ntoroko was carved out of Bundibugyo.

Population indicators

According to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census, Bundibugyo district had a population of 264,778, while Ntoroko, on the other hand, had 114,858 people.

Bundibugyo had 58,755 households, of which 19,911 were engaged in the subsistence economy, while 9,259 had benefited from the Parish Development Model (PDM).

On the other hand, Ntoroko had 20,180 households. Of which, 5,900 were in the subsistence economy, while 2,954 had benefited from PDM.

Voting patterns

In the last election, President Yoweri Museveni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) won Bundibugyo with 52,408 votes (73.02 per cent) against his closest challenger, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, alias Bobi Wine, of the National Unity Platform (NUP), who polled 18,076 (25.18 per cent). Mugisha Muntu, on the other hand, scored 185 votes.

In Ntoroko, Museveni received 19,670 (80.2 per cent), Bobi Wine 4,212 (17.17 per cent) and Muntu 187 votes.

Bundibugyo is represented by Acrobert Kiiza Moses (Bughendera county, Indep), Richard Gafabusa (Bwamba county, NRM) and Josephine Babungi Bebona (District Woman MP, NRM).

On the other hand, Ntoroko comprises Ntoroko County, represented by Rwemulikya Ibanda (Indep), Anne Mary Tumwine (District Woman MP, NRM).