KABALE, UGANDA: The Kigezi Journalist Panel survey report has identified the strategic appointment of Peace Rugambwa as a pivotal factor behind a dramatic surge in support for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the historically competitive Kigezi sub-region.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The report, compiled by a consortium of local journalists, asserts that Rugambwa’s role as Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture has been leveraged to deliver swift and visible leadership, directly translating into political capital for the NRM.
The evidence of this shift is starkly visible in the current parliamentary composition from the six districts of Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro, Rukiga, Rubanda, and Rukungiri.
Out of a total of twenty-one (21) constituency and district woman representatives, the NRM commands a decisive majority, with the remaining seats held by Independents who are widely considered to be NRM-leaning.
A District-by-District Breakdown of NRM Dominance:
· Kisoro District: The NRM won five out of six seats, with only one Independent MP, Hon. Eddie Kwizera (Bufumbira County), breaking the sweep.
· Rubanda District: The ruling party secured two of the three seats, with the Woman MP, Hon. Evelyn Ninsiima Kikafunda, sitting as an Independent.
· Kanungu District: Similarly, NRM holds two parliamentary seats, with the Woman MP, Hon. Patience Nkunda Kinshaba, elected as an Independent.
· Rukungiri District: A clean sweep for the NRM, with all four MPs, including seasoned figures like Hon. Jim Muhwezi and Hon. Mathias Mwesigwa, belonging to the ruling party.
· Kabale District: Another total sweep, with all four MPs, including Municipality representative Hon. Andrew Aja Baryayanga, subscribing to the NRM.
· Rukiga District: Completing the tally, both the County and Woman MPs are members of the NRM.
This electoral map reveals an overwhelming stronghold, with the NRM holding 18 of the 21 seats (approximately 86%), with the remaining three held by Independents.
Analysts cited in the Kigezi Journalist Panel report suggest that Peace Rugambwa’s focused interventions in the agricultural sector, a critical pillar of the region’s economy, have resonated deeply with the electorate.
Her work in translating government presence into tangible agricultural benefits for households is widely seen as a political masterstroke that has effectively framed service delivery as an NRM achievement, diminishing the opposition’s former stronghold.
The strategic alignment of technical service delivery with political mobilization has provided the NRM with an unprecedented level of support in Kigezi, fundamentally altering a political landscape where opposition forces once held significant sway.
A COMPLETE BREAKDOWN OF MPs BY DISTRICT AND PARTY
KABALE DISTRICT (All NRM)
1. Hon. Andrew Aja Baryayanga – Kabale Municipality (NRM)
2. Hon. Protazio Begumisa – Ndorwa East (NRM)
3. Hon. Eliab Naturinda – Ndorwa West (NRM)
4. Hon. Enid Origumisiriza – Woman MP (NRM)
KANUNGU DISTRICT
1. Hon. Chris Baryomunsi – Kinkizi East (NRM)
2. Hon. James Ruugi Kaberuka – Kinkizi West (NRM)
3. Hon. Patience Nkunda Kinshaba – Woman MP (Independent)
KISORO DISTRICT
1. Hon. Roland Kanya Nkrumah – Bufumbira East (NRM)
2. Hon. Fortunate Habyara Gatare – Bufumbira North (NRM)
3. Hon. Eng. Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda – Bufumbira South (NRM)
4. Hon. Sam Byibesho – Kisoro Municipality (NRM)
5. Hon. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano – Woman MP (NRM)
6. Hon. Eddie Kwizera – Bufumbira County (Independent)
RUBANDA DISTRICT
1. Hon. Henry Musasizi Ariganyira – Rubanda East (NRM)
2. Hon. Bruce Balaba Kabasa – Rubanda West (NRM)
3. Hon. Evelyn Ninsiima Kikafunda – Woman MP (Independent)
RUKIGA DISTRICT (All NRM)
1. Hon. Patrick Kiconco Katabaazi – Rukiga County (NRM)
2. Hon. Dr. Sylvia Arinaitwe – Woman MP (NRM)
RUKUNGIRI DISTRICT (All NRM)
1. Hon. Jim Muhwezi – Rujumbura County (NRM)
2. Hon. Mathias Mwesigwa Rwabugumi – Rubabo County (NRM)
3. Hon. Henry Kakurugu Tumukunde – Rukungiri Municipality (NRM)
4. Hon. Mary Paula Kebirungi – Woman MP (NRM)
Tally Summary:
· Total MPs: 21
· NRM MPs: 18 · Independent MPs (Leaning NRM): 3
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