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Museveni Meets NRM Leaders in Masaka, Probes Nameere–Nalubowa Election Dispute

President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni on Wednesday held a closed-door meeting with local leaders from the Greater Masaka region as he sought firsthand accounts about the controversial outcome of the Masaka City Woman Member of Parliament race that has sparked internal tensions within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The engagement, held on March 11, 2026, at the State Lodge in Kizungu, Masaka City, brought together selected NRM local leaders, members of the business community, and party officials. Among those present were Masaka City NRM chairman Rogers Bulegeya, business leaders including Benon Mugarura and Hajjat Sarah Kiyimba of Brovad Hotel, as well as newly elected Bukoto East MP Sarah Babirye Kityo.

Also in attendance was Masaka City Woman MP-elect Justine Nameere, whose victory in the January 15 elections remains under scrutiny following a bitter contest with Rose Nalubowa of the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Museveni Seeks Clarity

Sources who attended the meeting told Watchdog Uganda that the President used the dialogue to probe irregularities surrounding the vote recount that eventually saw Nameere declared winner.

Initially, Nalubowa had reportedly secured 25,443 votes against Nameere’s 20,324 before a recount altered the outcome, leading the Masaka City Chief Magistrate to confirm Nameere as the winner.

During the meeting, Museveni reportedly asked local leaders to provide what he described as “truth and neutral evidence” regarding what transpired during the election and recount process.

“All I need here is the truth from leaders on the ground,” Museveni is quoted to have said as he listened to submissions from different participants.

According to attendees, the President took notes during the discussion as leaders narrated their observations about the conduct of the elections, the recount exercise and the subsequent declaration of results.

Accusations Raised in Meeting

Masaka City NRM chairman Rogers Bulegeya reportedly used the opportunity to raise concerns about the credibility of the process that produced Nameere as the MP-elect.

Bulegeya claimed that the vote recount was irregular and alleged that the election had been influenced by security operatives and other actors. He further told the President that several local leaders believed the initial results reflected the will of voters.

According to Bulegeya, digital evidence and videos allegedly exist showing incidents of voter bribery and irregularities during the electoral process.

The claims, however, remain unverified and the matter is already before court following a petition filed by Nalubowa challenging the outcome of the election.

Museveni reportedly urged calm among party members as investigations and legal processes continue.

Internal NRM Friction

The meeting also exposed deep divisions among NRM leaders in Masaka, with tensions reportedly visible between Nameere and Bulegeya.

Several participants expressed concerns that the party’s internal disagreements could weaken its support base in the region if not handled carefully.

At one point, Museveni intervened and urged leaders to remain united and avoid public confrontations.

“I request Mr. Bulegeya to calm down. The issues have been understood,” the President reportedly said during the dialogue.

He emphasized that election disputes should be handled through established legal and institutional channels, including the courts and the Electoral Commission.

Land Grabbing Allegations Surface

The meeting also turned into a platform for other grievances affecting the region.

Bukoto East MP Sarah Babirye Kityo raised concerns about alleged land grabbing in parts of rural Masaka, claiming that influential figures had been involved in disputes affecting local residents.

In a moment that surprised many in the room, she called on the President to investigate allegations involving former Agriculture Minister Vincent Bamulangaki Ssempijja.

Kityo claimed that several residents had complained about land disputes linked to powerful individuals in the area.

Museveni did not immediately respond to the allegations but reportedly noted the concerns raised during the meeting.

Supporters Stop Presidential Convoy

After the closed-door engagement, the President briefly interacted with a group of NRM supporters and leaders who had gathered along Kizungu Road hoping to present their grievances.

Witnesses said the supporters stopped the presidential convoy, prompting Museveni to pause and listen to their concerns for about ten minutes.

Some supporters claimed that many genuine party leaders had been excluded from the earlier meeting and alleged that the list of attendees had been selectively prepared.

Others accused Nameere of sidelining certain leaders who could have raised critical issues about the disputed election.

Among those who spoke was Agnes Nabakooza, the NRM flag bearer for Woman Councillor in Kimanya-Kyabakuza Division, who reportedly broke down in tears as she appealed to the President to listen to grassroots leaders who felt ignored.

Museveni Calls for Report

Responding to the concerns, Museveni urged party members to compile their complaints in a formal report that could be submitted through party structures.

“I want you to package your issues well in a report and give it to your leader Mr. Bulegeya. He will deliver it to me,” the President said before continuing his journey.

He reiterated that the NRM remains strong and called on leaders to maintain unity and discipline within the party.

Press Excluded

Meanwhile, journalists were reportedly barred from covering the main meeting inside State Lodge, with organisers describing the engagement as an internal party consultation.

Several reporters said they were left waiting outside despite having accreditation from their respective media houses.

The journalists later appealed to officials from the Presidential Press Unit and the NRM Secretariat to streamline media access during presidential engagements in the future.

Despite the closed nature of the meeting, the developments in Masaka have intensified political debate in the region as both supporters and critics await the outcome of the ongoing court challenge over the contested parliamentary seat.

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The compensation of persons affected by the East African Crude Oil Pipeline project (EACOP) stands at 98 per cent completion, according to the Director Economic and National Content Monitoring at the Petroleum Authority of Uganda (PAU), Peninah Aheebwa.

The revelation follows concerns raised by Kalungu West County MP, Hon. Joseph Ssewungu on the matter.

“There are some people who have been raising issues of compensation and they are telling me they have not yet been compensated. We have seen challenges like vandalism in Nigeria’s oil mining industry, which we need to avoid here,” said Ssewungu.

Aheebwa noted that the compensations were carried out in line with national requirements and IFC standards which are an international benchmark for managing environmental and social risks in private sector projects.

“Everyone has been compensated to the best of their satisfaction, in our view. This is highly monitored by the lenders of this project, and they do not entertain anything that is not satisfactory,” she noted.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (Central Government) on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, Aheebwa said Uganda expects to see first oil by the end of July 2026.

First oil is the milestone date when a new oil well or field officially begins production, commissioning and exporting its first commercial cargo of hydrocarbons, a transition from testing to active operation.

“Our first major project is Tilenga which required 170 wells, and we have already done 198. For the Kingfisher project, we required 19 wells for first oil and we have achieved 21 so far. So in terms of drilling, we have reached what is required,” Aheebwa said.

She noted that overall completion in terms of central processing facilities and feeder lines for the Tilenga and Kingfisher projects stands at 67 per cent and 77 per cent respectively, whereas the EACOP is at 81 per cent.

“We have been operating two shifts of field work on the Tilenga project but we are increasing them to three with eight hours on each shift, so that we can meet the target of end of July this year,” Aheebwa added.

Hon. Basil Bataringaya (NRM, Kashari North County) queried the amount of recoverable costs owed by the Authority and how they will be paid.

“There has been mention of an audit of 2021 that states how much money is to be paid to the oil companies, yet we are in 2026. This is a key sector in which we are spending colossal sums of money, so why there is a lag in audit?” Bataringaya asked.

Aheebwa noted that close to US$12.3 billion has been spent in the sector, adding that not all of it will be recoverable by ordinary costs.

“For the EACOP, the money is recovered through the tariff. So far, US$3.5 billion out the total cost has been spent on the pipeline and will be recovered through the tariffs on US$12.77 per barrel that is shipped through the pipeline,” Aheebwa said.

She said a 2021 report of the Auditor General indicated that US$3.4 billion was claimed by oil companies handling the projects that include TotalEnergies EP Uganda, CNOOC Uganda Limited, Uganda National Oil Company and China Oilfield Services Limited Uganda.

“Out of this figure, US$2.9 billion was approved for recovery (87 per cent) and US$439 million was disallowed (13 per cent). But the total investment of US$12.3 billion is up to 2025, some of which is not covered in the available audit,” Aheebwa said.

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When Julie Namara Muvawala arrived in Bududa in September 2025, the whispers were deafening. To many, she had been dispatched to a political graveyard, a district where opposition titans reigned supreme. Bududa was the home of John Baptist Nambeshe, Deputy President of the National Unity Platform, and Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the formidable Secretary General of the Forum for Democratic Change. To be sent there, barely four months before a general election, was to be thrown into the lion’s den. Yet what unfolded was nothing short of dramatic—a story of resilience, strategy, and triumph against the odds.

By January 2026, Bududa had been transformed. President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM candidate, secured 34,885 votes, a commanding 69.17% of the total, leaving Mafabi with 9,427 votes (18.78%) and Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu with 5,337 votes (10.58%). For a district long considered hostile to the ruling party, the numbers told a tale of political conquest. The NRM did not stop at the presidential vote. Geoffrey Natubu, the party’s candidate for LCV chairperson, swept to victory with 32,477 votes, a resounding 72%, while his rivals trailed far behind. Three of the district’s four parliamentary seats also fell to the NRM, cementing a dominance that few had predicted.

Turning Poverty into Hope

Muvawala, the Resident District Commissioner, was at the center of it all. She recalls the skepticism that greeted her arrival: “When I came here, everyone said I was finished. But thank God, we managed to achieve it.” Her strategy was simple yet profound—identify the people’s deepest concerns and respond with tangible solutions. Poverty, she realized, was the root of discontent. The Parish Development Model (PDM) became her weapon of choice. By channeling resources directly to households, the program softened hearts and rekindled hope. “PDM was the answer,” she says, “because people could see change with their own eyes.”

Other government initiatives reinforced this message. Emyooga, GROW, and UWEP empowered youth, women, and entrepreneurs, while resettlement programs for landslide victims provided families with two acres each and support to rebuild homes. These interventions were not abstract promises—they were lived realities that gave credibility to the NRM’s campaign.

The Power of Cohesion

Equally critical was the management of the NRM primaries. In a region where internal disputes had previously weakened the party, the transparent handling of candidate selection ensured flagbearers reflected the will of the people. “Had the primaries been mismanaged, our candidates would have been rejected,” Muvawala notes. Instead, the cohesion of the party translated into sweeping victories.

The campaign messaging also played a decisive role. Museveni spoke of production, technology, mining, and industrialization—visions of a future built on jobs and prosperity. His opponents, by contrast, focused on personal attacks. For Muvawala, the contrast was stark: “The President projected the future, while others offered no clear plans. The choice became easy for the people.”

Security in the Eye of the Storm

But Bududa’s transformation was not achieved without tension. As RDC, Muvawala was both the face of the President and the custodian of security. She worked closely with the District Security Committee to ensure peace, protecting women and elderly voters from intimidation. One of the most dramatic episodes came on January 3, 2026, when Robert Kyagulanyi visited the district. His entourage of over a thousand supporters deviated from the agreed campaign route, forcing their way through an impassable road under construction. Panic spread, but Muvawala coordinated calm responses with security, the Electoral Commission, and Kyagulanyi’s team, ensuring the candidate campaigned and departed peacefully.

Her ability to maintain order while respecting boundaries distinguished her from other RDCs accused of overstepping their mandate. “We tried to stick to what we are mandated to do and respect boundaries,” she reflects. “As the head of security, our office got involved in many activities but strictly in the interest of security.”

A New Face of the RDC Institution

Beyond Bududa, Muvawala sees a broader transformation in the institution of RDCs. Past accusations of inefficiency and abuse of power, she argues, have diminished thanks to rigorous vetting of officers by intelligence services. “People with questionable character no longer find their way into the system,” she says, crediting Minister Milly Babalanda and Permanent Secretary Hajji Yunus Kakande for their leadership. Staff welfare has also improved significantly. All RDCs and deputies now have official vehicles, drivers, and enhanced fuel allowances—twice increased under the current regime. This has boosted their mobility and capacity to monitor government programs effectively.

A Personal Victory

For Muvawala, the Bududa assignment was more than a political mission; it was a test of resilience and faith. She beams with gratitude as she reflects on her journey: “I thank President Museveni, the Minister for the Presidency, and the entire team for giving me this opportunity. It has made me better.”

Her story is not just about numbers, though the numbers are striking—34,885 presidential votes for Museveni, 32,477 for the NRM LCV chairperson, three of four parliamentary seats secured. It is about the drama of a district once considered lost, reclaimed through strategy, discipline, and the power of programs that touched lives. It is about a woman who walked into Bududa with whispers of doom trailing her, and who emerged with a victory that will be remembered as one of the most dramatic political turnarounds in Eastern Uganda.

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The management team of Ugandan singer Rema Namakula says limiting public appearances is one of the strategies that has helped maintain the star’s value in the entertainment industry.

According to her manager, Solo Kayemba, the award-winning singer is deliberate about when and where she shows up, arguing that excessive visibility can reduce an artist’s demand.

Speaking during an interview with Sanyuka TV, Kayemba said artists should focus on appearing only when it adds value to their brand. “Every artist has to be present when it is necessary, not to appear everywhere at any time like soda,” he said. “Every time you make appearances, your demand falls.”

Kayemba explained that the team’s strategy has been to carefully protect Rema’s brand by ensuring that each appearance is meaningful rather than frequent.

In an industry where musicians are often expected to attend numerous events, concerts, and media engagements, he believes restraint can sometimes be the more effective marketing strategy.

Instead of chasing every opportunity, Kayemba said the team evaluates invitations and only accepts those that align with the singer’s brand and perceived value. “They have to appear when necessary,” he said. “That is why my artist will appear where there is her value.”

The approach, he added, helps maintain anticipation among fans while ensuring that the singer’s presence remains special rather than routine.

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The Uganda National Examinations Board has announced that the 2025 Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education (UACE) results will be officially released on Friday, March 13, 2026, at 11:00 AM.

The results will be unveiled during a ceremony at State House Nakasero.

According to the announcement, the results will be released by the Minister of Education and Sports, Ministry of Education and Sports Uganda, in the presence of senior government officials and education stakeholders.

UACE is the final national examination at Advanced Level, taken by students after two years of study in Senior Five and Senior Six. The results determine eligibility for university admission, tertiary institutions, and other higher education opportunities in Uganda.

Thousands of candidates across the country sat for the 2025 examinations, and many students are eagerly awaiting the outcome as they plan their next academic and career steps.

Education officials say that once released, the results will be accessible through schools, the UNEB online platforms, and mobile phone result-checking services.

A self-proclaimed bishop and student at Cavendish University Uganda has been committed to the High Court for trial after prosecutors alleged he offered a 21-year-old barber Shs20 million to become his sexual partner before allegedly assaulting him.

Reuben Turyasingura, 45, who reportedly heads Serenity Foundation Ministries in western Uganda, appeared before Ritah Neumbe Kidasa, the Chief Magistrate at Buganda Road Chief Magistrates Court, where he was formally committed to stand trial at the High Court after investigations were completed.

According to the prosecution led by Chief State Attorney Joan Keko, the alleged victim is a 21-year-old barber from Kikulu Zone in Kawempe Division whose identity has been withheld to protect him from stigma.

How the Alleged Incident Happened

Court documents indicate that Turyasingura reportedly met the barber at a salon in Kawempe where the young man offered shaving, scrubbing and massage services. The two later became acquaintances after the bishop frequently visited the salon.

Prosecutors allege that on December 28 last year, Turyasingura informed the barber he was travelling from Rukiga District and would arrive late in Kampala. He reportedly asked the young man to escort him to his home.

The barber agreed and met him at Kitaka stage in Kawempe around midnight before proceeding to the bishop’s residence.

While there, the two reportedly entered the bedroom where tea was served by a houseboy identified as Brian Mwesigwa.

Shs20 Million Offer

According to the prosecution summary, Turyasingura allegedly asked the barber to become his sexual partner and promised to pay him Shs20 million.

However, the young man reportedly rejected the offer.

Prosecutors claim that after the refusal, the accused forcefully grabbed the victim and allegedly committed a sexual act against him.

Court records indicate the victim later managed to escape from the room after the door was opened by the houseboy who had come to clean the house.

Fear and Delay in Reporting

The barber reportedly did not immediately raise an alarm due to fear of stigma and embarrassment, particularly because he was known in the area.

However, when he failed to report to work the following day, a friend became concerned and later advised him to report the matter to police.

The case was first filed at Kikaya Police Station before being transferred to Kira Road Police Station for further investigation.

Medical Evidence

Medical examination using Police Form 3 reportedly found bruises and a laceration, with the victim complaining of pain in the waist and back following the alleged assault.

Investigators who visited the scene also reportedly recovered several items including a 200ml bottle of olive oil with yellow liquid, a blue towel and mobile phones.

Accused Denies Charges

Turyasingura was later arrested and charged with homosexuality, an offence he denies.

The prosecution says it intends to rely on several pieces of evidence during trial, including:

the complainant’s medical report a search certificate dated December 30 a sketch plan of the scene and medical examination results of the accused.

Court also heard that medical evaluation found the accused to be of sound mind.

Sent to Luzira Pending Trial

Following the committal proceedings, the magistrate ordered that Turyasingura be remanded to Luzira Prison as he awaits the next criminal session of the High Court where the trial will begin.

What the Law Says

Under the Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023, same-sex relations are criminalised in Uganda.

The law prescribes life imprisonment for homosexuality, while aggravated homosexuality may attract the death penalty upon conviction. The Act also criminalises promotion of homosexuality and related activities.

If convicted, Turyasingura could face severe penalties under the country’s strict anti-homosexuality laws.

The High Court will determine the outcome of the case once the trial begins