Minister Rwamirama’s Rival Chaims Himself at UNEB, Demands Return of Academic Documents

James Nkizamagara has chained himself at UNEB on Monday.

James Nkizamagara, a political rival to Minister of State for Animal Husbandry Bright Rwamirama, on Monday chained himself at the Uganda National Examinations Board (UNEB) offices in Ntinda, Kampala, protesting the Board’s failure to return and validate his academic documents.

Nkizamagara, who had intended to challenge Rwamirama for the Isingiro North parliamentary seat in the 2026 general elections, was disqualified from the race after UNEB reversed the earlier certification of his academic documents. The Electoral Commission removed him from the ballot on November 10, following UNEB’s communication that the documents he used for his nomination on October 22 were invalid.

After his disqualification, Nkizamagara sought a formal hearing from UNEB in an effort to clear his name. While the hearing was conducted, he claims the Board has since failed to issue a ruling, prompting his dramatic protest.

“I came here for a hearing, a hearing was done. They failed to give me a ruling. They are buying time; they are making sure they do injustice on me,” Nkizamagara said as he chained himself at the Board’s entrance. “They are going to kill me from here today, because without my documents, I’m dead.”

Nkizamagara insisted that, since he is already out of the parliamentary race, UNEB must now return his documents.

“They have taken the race. I am out of the race. Let them give me my documents,” he said. “All they wanted was for him (Rwamirama) to go unopposed—and he has achieved it. I want UNEB to give me my documents. They invalidated my documents. They have taken away all my rights, but I cannot stand being without my documents.”

Nkizamagara contested as an independent after losing to Rwamirama in the NRM primaries in July.

UNEB has not yet issued a public statement on the matter.