The National Resistance Movement (NRM) lost ground in Rukungiri District’s council leadership elections after independent candidate Albert Ahabwe, popularly known as Rwamugata, unseated long-serving Speaker James Turyamuboona.
Ahabwe, who represents Buyanja Sub-county, won the speakership with 21 votes against Turyamuboona’s 15 votes. Turyamuboona had held the position for the past decade.
In the deputy speaker race, Phionah Nakunda of the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) defeated NRM’s Macklin Sabiiti Turyamusima in a tightly contested election. Nakunda, who serves as the PFF Vice Chairperson for Rukungiri District and councillor representing Nyakagyeme Sub-county and Rwerere Town Council, secured victory with 19 votes against Turyamusima’s 17 in the second round of voting.
The first round had ended in an 18-18 tie, forcing a rerun.
The May 20 elections turned tense when Bugangari Sub-county councillor William Ngabirano challenged Ahabwe’s eligibility to contest for Speaker.
Ngabirano petitioned Ntungamo Chief Magistrate Gordson Musinguzi, who presided over the election, to block Ahabwe from participating, arguing that although he contested as an independent candidate, he remained a member of the NRM in violation of the party constitution.
However, other councillors, including Brian Bantu of Nyarushanje Sub-county, argued that the election was being conducted under the Uganda Electoral Commission and not the NRM party structures.
Chief Magistrate Musinguzi ruled that Ahabwe was legally eligible to contest, allowing the election to proceed.
Following his victory, Speaker Ahabwe presided over the deputy speaker rerun, which ultimately handed Nakunda victory.