Bukimbiri: NRM’s Turyagyenda Petitions Court to Nullify Kwizera Victory

Asigario Turyagyenda, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer for Bukimbiri County in Kisoro District, has petitioned the High Court in Kabale seeking to nullify the election of independent candidate Eddie Kwizera wa Gahungu.

Turyagyenda lost to Kwizera in the 2026 general elections, with official results showing Kwizera polling 14,761 votes against Turyagyenda’s 12,553. Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate James Owebeyi trailed with 102 votes.

In his petition, Turyagyenda alleges widespread electoral irregularities, including voter intimidation, bribery, and ballot stuffing, which he argues significantly affected the final outcome of the election.

Court records indicate that Election Petition No. 1 of 2026 has been formally filed and challenges the declaration of Kwizera as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Bukimbiri County.

The High Court has since issued notices to the respondents—Eddie Kwizera and the Electoral Commission—directing them to file their responses within 10 days of service. The court warned that failure to respond could result in the case proceeding in their absence.

Bukimbiri County has a history of electoral disputes. In 2021, FDC’s James Owebeyi Mugyemanyi challenged the parliamentary election results, citing errors on ballot papers, including misplacement of names and photographs. The Court of Appeal later ordered a by-election in 2022, which was won by Kwizera.

Ahead of the 2025 NRM primaries, Kwizera had raised concerns about alleged irregularities in the party register at Kisoro District headquarters before opting to run as an independent candidate in the 2026 elections.

During nominations in October 2025, Kwizera was cleared as an independent, while Turyagyenda ran on the NRM ticket and Owebeyi represented FDC.

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Although Turyagyenda conceded defeat at Mountain Breeze (BAM II) polling station, he maintained that the overall process was flawed and pledged to seek legal redress.

The petition sets the stage for yet another legal battle over the Bukimbiri County parliamentary seat.