Fighting the People’s Choice; Kinkizi West Erupts as Powerful Forces Target MP Kaberuka!

By Our Reporter | July 13, 2025 | Kanungu

The political landscape in Kinkizi West has taken a dangerous and unsettling turn as signs of a well-coordinated scheme to frustrate the re-election of Hon. James Kaberuka, the beloved MP for Kinkizi West, come to light. Despite commanding overwhelming support from the people of Kanungu, Kaberuka now faces sabotage, intimidation, and violence evidently backed by powerful individuals desperate to thwart the will of the people.

Hon Kaberuka (in yellow) addressing a rally

It all came to a boiling point on Sunday, July 13th, at a joint campaign rally in Nyamirama Sub County when chaos broke out after one of Kaberuka’s challengers, Julius Muyambi who refers to himself as an elephant launched a vile verbal attack on the MP and his wife. Muyambi’s crude threats of physical violence—boasting that he could “beat” the MP—were met with outrage from the crowd, many of whom are staunch supporters of Kaberuka. The rally was brought to a 20-minute standstill, and in an unprecedented move, the NRM Registrar suspended Muyambi from joint campaigns.

BUT WHAT FOLLOWED SHOCKED THE PUBLIC EVEN MORE

The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kanungu, Mwesigye Ambrose, intervened and overturned the Registrar’s decision—after consulting with Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police John Ndungutse, who is also contesting in the same race. This brazen act has left many questioning whether the RDC is still a neutral civil servant or an active agent in a sinister plot to destabilize a peaceful political process.

Retired AIGP Ndungutse John

“This is exactly what happened in 2016,” Kaberuka told the charged crowd. “They stole my victory and declared someone who was fourth as the flag bearer. But God the President restored my flag to me. In 2021, they came again. I beat them. And now, I will beat them again.”

Kaberuka’s words were met with thunderous chants of “No Change! No Change!” from a crowd that is clearly tired of dirty politics and desperate to protect the leader they love.

A PATTERN OF VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATION

Muyambi’s outbursts and threats were not isolated. The same individual is said to have previously vandalized Kaberuka’s vehicle in Kayonza Sub County, with sources linking the incident to instructions from Ndungutse himself. This is because at every fracas, Muyambi would be seen consulting the wife of Ndungutse also a fellow candidate which shows that Muyambi is a hired mercenary and proxy who is working for AIGP Ndungutse.

Reports also indicate that Ndungutse’s supporters have been moving with tear gas canisters, which they have used to disperse Kaberuka’s rallies.

“Why hasn’t the RDC investigated these attacks? Where is the intelligence? Why is there silence from those who are supposed to protect our democracy?” Kaberuka asked.

Muyambi Julius

Eyewitnesses from several rallies say that security forces, including Police and UPDF, have stood by looking on while violence has been meted out against Kaberuka and his supporters. At the Nyakinoni Playground rally, Muyambi stormed the event intending to assault Kaberuka. Only the swift intervention of Kaberuka’s personal bodyguards prevented bloodshed—while government security simply looked on.

“This is not a political contest anymore—it’s a war against democracy,” said one a Reverand at a who was attending the rally at Nyakinoni . “They want to silence our voice, but we will not allow it.”

WHY KABERUKA STILL COMMANDS SUPPORT

Hon. James Kaberuka has been more than a politician for the people of Kinkizi West—he’s been a transformative leader. From improved infrastructure to better health services in all Subcounties, his track record speaks for itself. His humility, accessibility, and unwavering focus on development have endeared him to the masses.

That is precisely why attempts to smear his name, intimidate his supporters, and rig him out of the NRM primaries are being met with fierce resistance from the electorate.

“This is not just about Kaberuka,” said a youth leader from Kihihi. “It’s about us. About our future. If we allow this injustice, it will not stop with him.”

A PLEA OF JUSTICE

Kaberuka has called on the NRM leadership, especially President Museveni, to intervene and ensure that the party’s internal elections are free, fair, and devoid of intimidation. He warned that if the current trend of violence and selective application of party rules continues, the region risks descending into unrest.

The silence of RDC Mwesigye Ambrose and the silence of the security forces specifically Police who are working with their former boss John Ndungutse raise serious questions: Is the State facilitating electoral violence in Kinkizi West? And if so, who benefits from destabilizing a community that has for years stood behind a man who has delivered.

HE VERDICT OF THE PEOPLE

Despite the orchestrated chaos, what remains abundantly clear is that the people of Kinkizi West have already made their choice. And no amount of intimidation, no conspiracy, and no abuse of power will erase the bond between Hon. James Kaberuka and his constituents.

The chants that echoed across Nyamirama on Sunday said it all: Kaberuka No Change, Kaberuka No change.

Other candidates in the race include Kampala based scrap dealer Safari Christopher and Rukundo Joshua

The RDC who was present at the rally didn’t respond to accusations levelled against him while efforts to reach Ndungutse John were futile as his phones went unanswered by the time we filed this report.