By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
MITOOMA
National Resistance Movement (NRM) voters in Ruhinda South County, Mitooma district have outrightly rejected and delivered a crushing blow to the incumbent Mugabe Donozio Kahonda in the party’s primary elections, and voted Atuhwereire Kazoora Arthur to hold party’s flag in the 2026 general elections.
The hotly contested race ended with Kazoora garnering 9,433 votes (40.1%), while Kahonda trailed with 7,894 votes, marking a dramatic turn in Mitooma District’s political landscape.
According to the Mitooma District NRM Electoral Commission Registrar, Kyamakama Ephraim, the total number of valid votes cast in the constituency was 23,568 across ten candidates, including notable contenders such as Herbert Banyanga Bwesigye with 4,824 votes (13.2%) and Rtd Capt. Bernard Kamukama who received 1,084 votes (4.6%).
Other aspirants in the race included Gerald Kaginda (191 votes), Ambrose Byamugisha (74), Macson Kanyesigye (429), David Tumuhimbise (215), Roland J. Tumushime (17), and Esther Twikirize (80).
Voters in Ruhinda South said the voting exercise was peaceful across all polling stations in the constituency, despite allegations of voter bribery by Kahonda’s team and claims of religious sectarianism, with the Catholic Church reportedly backing his candidacy.
Speaking shortly after being declared winner, Kazoora thanked voters for entrusting him with the party flag and pledged to focus on youth empowerment, agricultural productivity, and service delivery if elected to Parliament.
With the party ticket secured, Kazoora will now face off with opposition and independent candidates in the 2026 parliamentary race.
