RUKIGA – The Local Council I elections in the Rukiga district main cell, Kitaburaza Village in Muhanga Town Council, came down to the wire on July 28, 2026, with Kagurusi Bernard emerging victorious by the slimmest of margins, a solitary vote.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The high-stakes election, held at St. Luke Muhanga Catholic Church, saw Kagurusi secure 99 votes against his closest rival, Twinomugisha Adrion Katareiha, who garnered 98 votes.
The voting process, which officially commenced at 10:00 AM with the reading of the registered voters’ list, was immediately marred by disagreements between the two camps.
Candidates raised strenuous objections over voter eligibility, bringing proceedings to a grinding standstill for hours and severely testing the patience of everyone present.
Candidates’ fervent supporters then clashed in a swift, heated scuffle, forcing alarmed polling officers to urgently call in additional security reinforcements to restore calm and order.
The heavy deployment of police and army personnel was swiftly mobilized to restore order, effectively ensuring the credibility and integrity of the entire electoral exercise.
The register, which controversially limited the electorate to just 197 people, came under sharp criticism from both sides for its perceived inadequacy in representing the village’s population.
Speaking to this reporter after the process, the Rukiga District Returning Officer, Rebecca Mbabazi, acknowledged the challenges faced at Kitaburaza and other polling centers across the district.
“In some areas, there were skirmishes, but our security deployments managed the situations effectively,” she said.
Mbabazi said that the overall voter turnout across Rukiga District was notably high, slightly surpassing that of the earlier elections held this year, a testament to the growing political consciousness among the electorate.
The elated chairman, Kagurusi Bernard, cited excessive use of money to influence the electoral process, alleging that his supporters had been offered payments to switch allegiance to his rival.
He firmly declared that his victory was earned through trust and proven service, not purchased, as he pointed to his track record of previous good works in the same position as the foundation of the people’s confidence in him.
“This victory belongs to the people of Kitaburaza; it was not bought. It was earned through trust and proven service. Money cannot buy the confidence of this community; my track record speaks for itself,” Chairman Kagurusi stated.
The newly elected LC I Chairperson pledged to serve his community without fear or favor, vowing to continue leading Kitaburaza with integrity, transparency, and unwavering dedication to the welfare of all its residents.
The Rukiga District Local Council elections are part of a massive nationwide democratic exercise taking place across Uganda’s 71,214 villages.
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