Minister of State for Local Government Balaam Barugahara encountered an unexpected political challenge in Rukungiri District after sections of residents interrupted his address with loud chants demanding the release of jailed opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye. The incident occurred on October 28, 2026, turning what was intended to be an anti-corruption campaign gathering into a heated political moment that exposed the continued public attention surrounding Besigye’s detention.
The minister was addressing residents at Rukungiri Main Stadium during his “Expose the Corrupt” campaign tour in the Kigezi sub-region. The campaign was organised to highlight corruption and promote accountability in local government institutions. However, the atmosphere changed when some people in attendance began chanting Besigye’s name, repeatedly calling for the veteran opposition politician to be released.
The interruption came as Barugahara was also using the gathering to rally support for Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s presidential ambitions. The minister encouraged residents to support Muhoozi, whose political ambitions have increasingly featured in public discussions. However, the chants from sections of the crowd shifted attention away from the minister’s message, with residents making it clear that Besigye’s continued detention remained an important issue.
The location of the gathering made the incident even more politically significant because Rukungiri is Besigye’s home district. The opposition politician hails from Rwakabengo in Rukungiri Municipality and has maintained a strong political following in the area. Residents who raised the issue appeared determined to remind the minister that their concerns about Besigye’s freedom could not simply be ignored during a political gathering.
Faced with the growing demands, Barugahara attempted to calm the situation by telling the gathering that discussions were reportedly underway to secure Besigye’s release. He claimed that General Salim Saleh was leading high-level engagements aimed at resolving the matter. However, he did not disclose the details of the alleged negotiations or provide a specific timeline for when Besigye could regain his freedom.
Besigye has been in detention since November 2024 following his arrest in Kenya and subsequent transfer to Uganda. He is facing treason charges, which he and his supporters have strongly contested. His continued detention has generated political debate, with opposition leaders and human rights advocates repeatedly calling for his release and questioning the circumstances surrounding his arrest and prosecution.
Despite the interruptions, Barugahara proceeded with his political mobilisation activities, urging residents to write their names and append their signatures to a list endorsing Muhoozi’s presidential ambitions. Posters bearing the General’s image were also displayed behind the minister. Nevertheless, the competing chants and political messages made the gathering particularly memorable, with the Besigye issue taking centre stage during an event that had initially been organised around fighting corruption.
The incident attracted reactions from opposition figures, including former Rukungiri Municipality parliamentary contestant Ingrid Turinawe and People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) leader Doreen Nyanjura. Nyanjura praised the residents for standing with Besigye, saying Rukungiri had demonstrated that it had not abandoned its son. Turinawe also thanked the councillor who raised the matter and renewed calls for Besigye’s unconditional release. Their reactions further highlighted the political significance of the incident, as Balaam’s campaign in Rukungiri became another public demonstration of the continuing debate over Besigye’s detention and Muhoozi’s presidential ambitions.
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