Kigezi, Uganda – Incumbent ministers in the Kigezi Sub Region are facing difficulties in winning the trust of voters, with their fresh campaigns experiencing unexpected twists from their opponents.
In a dramatic turn of events in Rubanda East, supporters of Hon. Jogo Kenneth Biryabatema, who is contesting against the State Minister of Finance Henry Musasizi, handed him bundles of cash during his campaign launch at Murwere Primary School playground in Bubare Town Council.
The supporters claimed the money was part of alleged bribes they had received from Minister Musasizi to disown Jogo’s candidacy.
This gesture was a show of solidarity with Jogo, who was defeated by Musasizi in the previous general elections and has repeatedly accused him of engaging in electoral malpractice.
In another twist, Counsel Eliab Naturinda Mporera, a contender against Minister of State for Trade David Bahati, had his rally at Mukitengye Trading Centre in Minister Bahati’s home area allegedly blocked.
However, hundreds of residents turned up in support of Mporera, defying claims that they had been bribed with UGX 2 million and reflector jackets to stay away.
Despite admitting to receiving the cash, locals defiantly declared that their loyalty could not be bought, vowing instead to uphold their demand for change. “We took the money, but our votes are not for sale,” one resident asserted, as the crowd cheered in agreement.
The Two ministers, State Minister of Finance Henry Musasizi and Minister of State for Trade David Bahati, are currently contesting for parliamentary seats in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries.
Mporera criticized the attempts to sabotage his visit, noting that his own supporters had shown restraint and maturity when Minister Bahati recently visited his home area.
He added that the resistance witnessed in Mukitengye reflects growing fear and political anxiety among his opponents, especially as support for new leadership gains momentum even in traditional strongholds.
The developments in Kigezi Sub Region suggest that voters are increasingly looking for change, and incumbent ministers may face stiff competition in the upcoming elections.