Ugandaelections2026
Minister Rwamirama declared unopposed for Isingiro North seat
Last month, on December 11, New Vision Online reported how he had been dragged to the EC, allegedly by one of his opponents who at the time contended that some of the signatures on his nomination forms had been forged.
Minister Bright Rwamirama will retain the Isingiro North parliamentary seat after being declared an unopposed candidate on January 9, 2026. (Credit: Abdulkarim Ssengendo)
By: Dedan Kimathi, Journalist @New Vision
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Bright Kanyontore Rwamirama, the animal industry state minister, has joined the growing list of National Resistance Movement (NRM) lawmakers running unopposed.
This follows his formal declaration by Julius Rubagano Arineitwe, the Isingiro district returning officer, on Friday (December 9).
The development comes after other contenders in Isingiro North constituency were disqualified.
They include Best Arnold Ankunda of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), whom Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson Justice Byabakama had previously clarified to have fallen short of one out of the 10 required 10 registered voters required under Section 28(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap 177.
James Atwiine Nkizimagara was edged out over questionable academic papers.
However, the news caught Anthony Rutahweire of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), the other candidate who prior to the announcement, had been left in the race, by surprise.
“Actually, today [Friday], this evening, I was busy campaigning in Masha sub-county, when I received so many calls from people reaching out to me. I was shocked,” he said.
“This is not by accident. We are now five days to the election, and I think someone is trying to hide a big elephant in a bag."
They include Best Arnold Ankunda of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), whom Electoral Commission (EC) chairperson Justice Byabakama had previously clarified to have fallen short of one out of the 10 required 10 registered voters required under Section 28(1)(c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap 177.
James Atwiine Nkizimagara was edged out over questionable academic papers.
However, the news caught Anthony Rutahweire of the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), the other candidate who prior to the announcement, had been left in the race, by surprise.
“Actually, today [Friday], this evening, I was busy campaigning in Masha sub-county, when I received so many calls from people reaching out to me. I was shocked,” he said.
“This is not by accident. We are now five days to the election, and I think someone is trying to hide a big elephant in a bag."
Rutahweire said a petition that had been brought against him was yet to be resolved.
Last month, on December 11, New Vision Online reported how he had been dragged to the EC, allegedly by one of his opponents who at the time contended that some of the signatures on his nomination forms had been forged.
“Dear Isingiro North Constituents, family and friends, this is to let you know that I have been summoned by the Electoral Commission to appear at their head office to defend the allegation that some of my supporters who had appended their signatures on my nomination forms were fraudulent,” Rutahweire stated at the time.
“I will be appearing at the EC any time from now to defend myself. I am also very much aware that one of the candidates I am contesting with is behind all this nonsensical political move.”
Rutahweire originally belonged to the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). However, following the internal elections that ushered in the Patrick Oboi Amuriat leadership, he, alongside several Ankole region leaders, including Mary Frances Kabatereine, decamped to ‘New Formation’, which later morphed into ANT.
EC responds
Speaking to New Vision on phone on Saturday, EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi advised us to crosscheck with the Isingiro district returning officer for clarification.
“Who signed that document? I think the starting point will be Isingiro because returning officers, you know, are in charge of those kinds of processes at the district level,” Mucunguzi guided.
Rwamirama, who has represented the constituency for five terms, has previously had his candidature questioned, albeit unsuccessfully.
On December 31, 2020, Nicholas Atuheirwe, an aspirant for Isingiro North at the time, dragged the state minister to the EC, contesting his true identity.
“The nomination of a one Mr Rwamirama Bright Kanyontore as an aspirant for election as Member of Parliament for Isingiro North constituency was in error because the attached academic documents to nomination papers were and still are in the names of a different person,” Atuheirwe told New Vision on Saturday (December 10).
“Rwamirama Bright for the Ordinary Level certificate, and another person named Rwamirama. K. Bright for the Advanced Level certificate, which are totally different from the MP aspirants with the names of Rwamirama Bright Kanyontore on his national identification,” he argued.
However, the petition was later found to be lacking in several aspects and was subsequently dismissed.
Last month, on December 11, New Vision Online reported how he had been dragged to the EC, allegedly by one of his opponents who at the time contended that some of the signatures on his nomination forms had been forged.
“Dear Isingiro North Constituents, family and friends, this is to let you know that I have been summoned by the Electoral Commission to appear at their head office to defend the allegation that some of my supporters who had appended their signatures on my nomination forms were fraudulent,” Rutahweire stated at the time.
“I will be appearing at the EC any time from now to defend myself. I am also very much aware that one of the candidates I am contesting with is behind all this nonsensical political move.”
Rutahweire originally belonged to the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). However, following the internal elections that ushered in the Patrick Oboi Amuriat leadership, he, alongside several Ankole region leaders, including Mary Frances Kabatereine, decamped to ‘New Formation’, which later morphed into ANT.
EC responds
Speaking to New Vision on phone on Saturday, EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi advised us to crosscheck with the Isingiro district returning officer for clarification.
“Who signed that document? I think the starting point will be Isingiro because returning officers, you know, are in charge of those kinds of processes at the district level,” Mucunguzi guided.
Rwamirama, who has represented the constituency for five terms, has previously had his candidature questioned, albeit unsuccessfully.
On December 31, 2020, Nicholas Atuheirwe, an aspirant for Isingiro North at the time, dragged the state minister to the EC, contesting his true identity.
“The nomination of a one Mr Rwamirama Bright Kanyontore as an aspirant for election as Member of Parliament for Isingiro North constituency was in error because the attached academic documents to nomination papers were and still are in the names of a different person,” Atuheirwe told New Vision on Saturday (December 10).
“Rwamirama Bright for the Ordinary Level certificate, and another person named Rwamirama. K. Bright for the Advanced Level certificate, which are totally different from the MP aspirants with the names of Rwamirama Bright Kanyontore on his national identification,” he argued.
However, the petition was later found to be lacking in several aspects and was subsequently dismissed.