The National Resistance Movement party flagbearer Samuel Mucunguzi has retained his position as Ntungamo District LCV Chairperson, defeating two former party colleagues who had earlier contested against him in the NRM primaries.
The Ntungamo District Returning Officer, Charles Wafula, declared Mucunguzi the winner after he secured 84,903 votes (51.19 per cent), narrowly surpassing Independent candidate John Kigungu Kabeho, who garnered 80,465 votes (48.51 per cent).
Another Independent candidate, Naboth Mpirirwe, who withdrew from the race during President Museveni’s campaign rally in Ntungamo, received 503 votes (0.30 per cent).
Out of 812 polling stations, results from 788 were received, while 24 were cancelled after it was discovered that the number of votes cast exceeded the registered voters.
During voting, several polling stations reportedly experienced ballot-stuffing incidents, prompting security personnel to make arrests as they moved to maintain order.
The contest was heavily shaped by divisions that emerged during the NRM primaries. All three candidates had initially sought the party flag, but Kigungu and Naboth rejected the primary results, alleging rigging, and later ran as Independents.
Despite this, both remained NRM-leaning until Naboth withdrew during President Museveni’s rally, shifting the political dynamics.
The election once again placed Ntungamo voters at the centre of an internal ruling-party struggle, determining the fate of leaders who originated from the same political formation.
Mucunguzi’s victory in the January 22 polls coincided with his 50th birthday, marking a symbolic milestone both personally and politically.