Rukungiri NRM supporters urged to only vote party flag-bearers
“Don’t vote for an independent NRM-leaning candidate. Vote for only NRM flag-bearers, especially for Gen. (rtd) Henry Tumukunde for Rukungiri municipality and Maj. Gen. (rtd) Jim Muhwezi for Rujumbura County and Paula Turyahikayo as Woman MP holding the NRM flag,” Rugambwa said.
The senior presidential advisor on agriculture, Peace Rugambwa (right), Rukiga RDC Zadok Kamusiime (centre) and the NRM LC5 flagbearer for Rukiga district, Simon Mutebi, dancing during the opening of Boona Bageigahare Kyekundire Group South Western Uganda in Rukiga district. (Credit: Francis Emorut)
By Francis Emorut
Journalists @New Vision
The senior presidential advisor on agriculture, Peace Rugambwa (centre), with the NRM councillors candidates at New Palm Hotel in Rukungiri district. (Credit: Francis Emorut)
RUKUNGIRI - Rukungiri district-based NRM supporters have urged to only support and vote for party flag-bearers come January 2026.
According to presidential advisor on agriculture Peace Rugambwa National Resistance Movement (NRM)-leaning candidates who failed to secure the party flag are saboteurs who have defied the party’s position.
“Don’t vote for an independent NRM-leaning candidate. Vote for only NRM flag-bearers, especially for Gen. (rtd) Henry Tumukunde for Rukungiri municipality and Maj. Gen. (rtd) Jim Muhwezi for Rujumbura County and Paula Turyahikayo as Woman MP holding the NRM flag,” Rugambwa said.
Rugambwa was addressing NRM candidates for councillorship during a meeting called to drum up support for NRM presidential candidate President Yoweri Museveni at New Palm Hotel in Rukungiri district on Sunday, October 26, 2025.
Rukungiri has previously been an Opposition stronghold, especially the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) before it was split with the creation of Peoples Front for Freedom (PFF) under the leadership of jailed Dr Kizza Besigye.
The councillors raised concern that the district is not painted yellow with posters of President Museveni, as well as those of other NRM flag-bearers, missing, leaving PFF having a field day.
“Why don’t you paint Rukungiri Municipality with yellow posters so that we show we have overwhelming support? Only PFF posters are dominating," Jolly Katachwire asked.
Former FDC iron lady Ingrid Turinawe is contesting as Woman Member of Parliament for Rukungiri district under the PFF ticket.
Rugambwa appealed to the councillors to canvas votes right from LC1 to LC5, MPs and presidency and not give the Opposition chance but to defeat them.
Responding to the concerns of painting the Rukungiri district with yellow posters, Rugambwa instead pledged to give councillors shillings five million to print posters for themselves.
Rugambwa also rallied residents of Rukiga district to canvas votes for NRM flag-bearers as she opened an office for Boona Bageigahare Kyekundire Group, which supports members with funds to start enterprises and engage in commercial agriculture, in southwestern Uganda.
She was accompanied by the Rukiga Resident District Commissioner Zadok Kamusiime and the LC5 candidate Simon Mutebi and top officials of Team Peace Rugambwa, including Grace Musiimenta, Pamela Kihumuro and Irene Sabiiti.
The presidential advisor is mobilising support for President Museveni ahead of his campaign in Kigezi region.