Kitagwenda District Chairperson, Ismail Mushemeza has gone into hiding following an attempted arrest by the State House Anti-Corruption Unit over allegations of extortion.

Eyewitnesses report that Mushemeza, a candidate for district chairperson on the NRM ticket was holding his final campaign rally in Kicheche Sub-county on Tuesday when officers from the Anti-Corruption Unit arrived in a vehicle. Since then, Mushemeza has not been seen in public prompting concerns among supporters who allege he was abducted viewing the move as politically motivated.

However, Natasha Mariam, spokesperson for the Anti-Corruption Unit, dismissed claims of kidnapping, stating that Mushemeza is deliberately avoiding arrest. She accused him of soliciting bribes from job applicants in the district with victims reportedly paying between UGX10 million and UGX20 million for employment opportunities.

Attempts to contact Mushemeza for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone lines remained switched off by press time.

Police in Kitagwenda district have launched a search for the Kitagwenda District LC V Chairman, Ismael Mushemeza Kambanda who was allegedly kidnapped yesterday evening.

Mushemeza was reportedly abducted yesterday at around 5:00 PM from Kibumbe Playground in Kigoto Parish, Kicheche Sub County during his final campaign rally ahead of the upcoming elections. It is alleged that he was taken by a Toyota Hiace vehicle, commonly known as a “drone,” which had earlier been seen in the convoy of a candidate participating in the race.

A formal case of disappearance has been opened at Kitagwenda Central Police Station under SD REF 02/23/07/2025, by Ahairwe Jonany, the head of Mushemeza’s campaign team.

Supporters are expected to stage demonstrations this morning to protest the incident as authorities continue investigations into the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

Details to follow

Bushenyi District Deputy Resident District Commissioner, William Katsigazi Donanto has called on residents to maintain the discipline demonstrated during recent elections for National Resistance Movement(NRM) flag bearers. He praised Bushenyi for registering peaceful elections compared to neighboring districts.

Katsigazi urged the community to uphold the same spirit in upcoming elections for LC V chairpersons, mayors and councilors emphasizing peace and active participation without intimidation for a smooth electoral process.

He also warned candidates against using abusive language and urged supporters, especially youths, to refrain from inciting violence.

The NRM is set to hold elections on July 24th to select flag bearers for district chairman, LC V seats, city mayors, and municipal mayors.

Rubanda district police are investigating the murder of 55 year-old, Dismus Niyonzima alias Sebuhinja a resident of Habuhinga village, Ikamiro Parish, Muko Sub County on July 21, 2025, at Kabaya Primary School in Ikamiro Parish.

According to reports, Niyonzima had sold beans worth UGX220,000 shillings and was last seen leaving Centenary’s bar with his wife around 10:00 PM. As they parted ways, the wife hurried home with their children, leaving her husband behind.

The next morning, at around 7:00 AM, a student found Niyonzima’s lifeless body near the water tank at Kabaya Primary School lying in a pool of blood. The student alerted a teacher who identified the body and notified police.

Police visited the scene, documented evidence and recorded witness statements. A piece of brick stained with suspected blood was recovered from the scene. A postmortem examination has been conducted.

Elly Mate, police spokesperson for the Kigezi region confirmed the incident and revealed that investigations are underway.

Hon. Jovanice Rwenduru Twinobusingye, the Woman Member of Parliament fo Kiruhura district has raised serious concerns over the conduct of the Thursday July 17 NRM primaries for the parliamentary seat in Kiruhura. Addressing a press conference held today at her residence in Kyabagyenyi I village in Rushere Town Council, Hon.Rwenduru condemned what she described as widespread irregularities that compromised the integrity of the elections.

She alleged that her supporters faced intimidation, voters were bought at polling stations and her vote count was manipulated to favor her opponent. “If the votes had been counted fairly, I strongly believe that I would have won,” she stated. She further accused election officials of altering the results and pulling supporters away from the voting queues which she says severely affected her chances of victory.

She called for a thorough investigation into the election process particularly focusing on three town councils and one sub-county where she says the elections did not proceed transparently. These include Kiruhura Town Council, Kenshunga Sub-county, Rushere Town Council, and Sanga Town Council. She emphasized that village registrars and sub-county registrars involved in the electoral process should be held accountable and tried according to the law.

She expressed hope that a proper investigation would reveal the true results and enable her to contest the seat again without having to run as an independent candidate. “If the procedures are followed correctly, I am confident I can win and I will not need to come back as an independent,” she remarked.

Rwenduru’s supporters and agents shared their perspective narrating how suspicions and irregularities marred the election process further casting doubt on the legitimacy of the results.

It is noteworthy that the final tally showed Ruth Rujoki Mushabe receiving 2,4757 votes while Rwenduru garnered 2,1202 votes according to official election results.

As the controversy unfolds, calls for an impartial investigation continue to grow with many in Kiruhura demanding transparency and justice in the electoral process.