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By Amos Tayebwa — Mbarara
Rwampara District, long notorious for violent elections, is once again in the spotlight as political rivals MP Julius Tusiime Karuhanga and former legislator Charles Ngabirano prepare to face off for the Rwampara East parliamentary seat in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
The two candidates, who were both nominated last week, traded accusations and warnings over potential violence during their campaigns, with each vowing to defend their supporters if provoked.
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During the 2021 elections, Rwampara East witnessed widespread chaos, with several people injured and property destroyed in clashes between the two camps. At the height of the 2020 NRM primaries, tensions flared when party electoral chairperson Tanga Odoi controversially declared Ngabirano as flag bearer, sparking near-physical confrontation between the candidates.
Speaking to journalists shortly after nomination, MP Tusiime, the incumbent, said he would not tolerate any form of electoral violence but accused his opponent of being the chief instigator of chaos in past elections.
“I have told my supporters not to engage in violence. Rwampara East is known for election-related clashes, and this has always been caused by one candidate. We have people who were assaulted, vehicles vandalized, and homes attacked, yet no one has ever been arrested. I urge security to reign in on Ngabirano because he is the biggest threat to peace,” Tusiime said.
Tusiime added that his camp would “protect peace” and ensure a violence-free election if security authorities did their job.
In response, Ngabirano acknowledged Rwampara’s violent election history but dismissed claims that he was to blame. He instead accused “underperforming leaders” of using violence to intimidate voters.
“We are a peaceful camp and have already engaged security agencies to ensure law and order. But we shall not allow to be abused or beaten. If anyone brings violence to us, we shall hand them over to the authorities,” Ngabirano warned.
Both candidates urged the police and Electoral Commission to tighten security ahead of the campaigns to prevent a repeat of the bloody scenes that have characterized Rwampara’s past elections.
With the stage now set, residents of Rwampara East brace for another heated contest between the two political heavyweights — a rematch that could once again test the district’s fragile peace.
