Kiruhura District residents have voiced varied opinions regarding the conduct of the recently concluded NRM preliminary elections for Members of Parliament and district councillors. While some community members describe the elections as free and fair others express dissatisfaction and raise concerns over irregularities.

Mushabe Stephen, the NRM district vice chairman for Kiruhura called for unity among candidates regardless of election outcomes. He emphasized the importance of peaceful coexistence within the party noting that in politics it is uncommon for losers to openly admit defeat but crucial for the party’s stability that members come together for the greater good.

In contrast, James Kabukye Rutagasa, an LCI chairman in Nyakasharara ward in Kiruhura town council, criticized the electoral process at his polling station. He claimed that voters went to polls without proper registration as the registers were allegedly not used at Nyakasharara allowing everyone to vote regardless of eligibility. Rutagasa has called for an investigation by President Yoweri Museveni to examine the conduct of the primaries and establish the true winners.

Adding to the controversy, Hon Jovanice Rwenduru, the district Woman Member of Parliament raised concerns over irregularities during the elections alleging that the process was marred by misconduct. Conversely, Ruth Rujoki Mushabe, the current NRM flag bearer for the seat insisted that the primaries were conducted transparently and ‘were free and fair’.

As tensions and disagreements continue to surface, calls have grown for an official investigation into the conduct of the primaries to ensure transparency and uphold the integrity of the party’s democratic procedures in Kiruhura District.

Police in Rukungiri district are currently investigating the theft of a police firearm, an SMG with 30 rounds of ammunition believed to have been stolen from Rwakaraba police post in Nyakishenyi Sub County.

The incident reportedly occurred on the night of July 26 at around 8:30 PM. According to preliminary reports, No. 83982 PC Muyambi Pius who was on duty that day had his rifle secured in his inner room adjacent to the police post counter.Muyambi had reported for duty at 6:00 AM that morning and left his firearm in the room while he went for supper at a nearby hotel approximately 60 meters from the post.

Upon returning from supper, Muyambi discovered that his room had been broken into and the firearm was missing. The affected officer immediately alerted colleagues and local residents who confirmed the break-in at the scene. The Officer in Charge (OC) of the post who had been away on medication was also notified.

A joint scene of crime investigation including the Rukungiri OC station and the K-9 unit was conducted. Unfortunately, the search yielded no positive results. Muyambi was detained for questioning as investigations continue.

Elly Mate, the Police Spokesperson for the Kigezi Region issued a statement urging the public to remain vigilant and security-conscious. “We call upon members of the public to be alert and report any suspicious persons or objects immediately to local leaders or relevant authorities,” he said. “This cooperation is crucial for apprehending the suspects and recovering the stolen firearm.”

Police authorities have also appealed for community support in ensuring security and preventing further incidents.

Police in Rubanda district have registered the tragic death of a 22-year-old university student, Mugarura Victor who reportedly took his own life at his residence in Hamurara Cell, Nyamiyaga Ward, Bubare Town Council.

According to police reports, Victor, a first-year student at Kabale University and resident of the area was found hanging in his room on July 24 at an unspecified time. It is alleged that prior to his death he had taken his mother’s phone and disappeared. His family and friends reportedly searched for him throughout the day.

The situation was resolved in the evening when Victor’s sister attempted to call his phone. The phone was found ringing inside his house in the room where Victor slept. Upon opening the door, she discovered his body hanging from the ceiling above his bed.

Authorities were promptly notified and officers responded to the scene, examining and documenting evidence. A rope believed to have been used in the act was recovered and police also found short notes, suspected to be suicide messages written by Victor before his death beside the body.

Police urge the community to seek support from local leaders and relevant offices when facing personal issues emphasizing that resorting to suicide is not a solution to problems and that help is available.

The investigation continues as authorities seek to understand the circumstances leading to this tragic event.

Police in Kanungu district are investigating the mysterious death of Turyashemererwa Esau,50, a resident of Rutoro Cell, Rutugunda Parish, Kirima Sub-County. The incident reportedly occurred on the night of July 24 and has left the community in shock.

According to police reports, Turyashemererwa, a local businessman dealing in cattle and operating a shop/bar near his residence had an altercation with his wife Asiimwe Annette on the night in question. It is alleged that around 11:00 PM, he requested a bottle of waragi from the bar but his wife refused. Enraged, he reportedly picked up a stone and hit her on the head. Moments later, a neighbor identified as Sunday Eric heard an alarm from Esau’s home and rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, he found Esau lying unconscious in the living room bleeding from the mouth.He was transported to Katate Health Centre IV, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

According to Elly Mate,the Kigezi Police Region Spokesperson, officers visited the scene, documented evidence and conducted a postmortem. Both the wife and their daughter have been detained to assist with investigations.

In a separate incident in Rukiga District, police are probing the murder of 62-year-old Medius Kendegye of Kamuha Village, Kibanda Parish, Kamwezi Sub-County. Kendegye was reportedly killed during the night of July 24,after unknown assailants forcefully broke into her home. She was attacked with a panga, sustaining multiple cuts to the head leading to her death.

Rapid response from Kamwezi Police Station aided by the Canine Unit from Kabale Police Station, led to the tracking of possible suspects. This effort resulted in the arrest of Byamukama Simon Peter and two others, who are currently helping police with ongoing investigations.

Authorities continue to work diligently to unravel the circumstances surrounding these tragic deaths and bring the perpetrators to justice.

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.

Kiruhura District National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidates have shunned planned joint campaign rallies for the candidates vying for the district woman Member of Parliament seat as well as constituency MPs. They have attributed this to lack of facilitation funds resulting into conducting individual campaigns.

Speaking to Kazo FM, Mr. Katamba Alex, the NRM District Registrar for Kiruhura revealed that the district could not organize joint rallies as initially planned by the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) because of insufficient funds. He explained that the district lacked the necessary resources to facilitate the large-scale campaign activities which are crucial for effective voter mobilization.

“Kiruhura district was unable to hold joint campaigns because there was no money allocated for this exercise. The plan was made by the CEC but funding was not provided,” Katamba Alex stated.

The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kiruhura, Mr. Bakunda George, confirmed that financial constraints and security concerns hindered the organization of joint campaign rallies. He emphasized that security measures were put in place to protect the candidates and supporters during their individual rallies.

Abaho Nathan Karimali, the NRM chairman for Rwomugina Cell in Kinoni Sub-county and Twine Julius offered differing perspectives on the significance of holding joint campaigns. Nathan argued that joint rallies are unnecessary stating they tend to cause chaos among supporters. Conversely, Twine Julius suggested that such campaigns could be advantageous for voters as they offer a platform for voters to evaluate multiple candidates simultaneously.

The upcoming elections for NRM parliamentary candidates are scheduled for July 17, 2025 with campaign activities set to end on July 14, 2025. The district continues to navigate the challenges of campaign organization amid financial and security considerations.