RUKUNGIRI- The Rukungiri Chief Magistrate’s Court has granted bail to Wright Mwongyera, the Rukungiri District National Resistance Movement (NRM) elections officer, following his recent arrest over allegations of electoral malpractice in the party’s Rubabo County MP primaries.
Mwongyera was arrested last Friday after being accused of failing to tally results from eight polling stations in Buyanja Sub-county.
The missing results reportedly favored Alex Bob Rugonde, a contestant in the NRM primary elections, who claimed the omission directly contributed to his defeat.
Appearing before Grade I Magistrate His Worship Mbarabgu Gonzaga on Monday afternoon, Mwongyera was released on non-cash bail of UGX 15 million. His sureties were each bonded at UGX 10 million.
He is expected to return to court on 15th September 2025 for the hearing of the case.Among the sureties presented in court were 73-year-old Samuel Mpamize, a peasant of Rusoroza A Cell in Rwerere Town Council; 68-year-old Henry Ngateireyo, Mwongyera’s father; and 51-year-old Garshom Mutungura, his uncle.
The court imposed strict bail conditions, barring Mwongyera from leaving Rukungiri District without prior court approval and prohibiting any interference with ongoing investigations. He is also required to attend all court proceedings without fail.
Outside court, Alex Bob Rugonde expressed satisfaction with the court’s progress. “I welcome today’s decision and urge my supporters to stay calm and trust the process,” he said.
Rugonde also appealed for a speedy trial to help him determine whether to run as an independent in the upcoming general elections should the ruling not favor him.Mwongyera’s lawyer, Sarah Nasike, applauded the court’s decision, stating that the bail would allow her client time to rest and prepare for trial.
Meanwhile, a section of Rugonde’s supporters has called on President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene in the matter, fearing it could impact NRM’s performance in the 2026 general elections.
In the recently concluded NRM primaries for Rubabo County MP flagbearer, Mathias Mwesigwa was declared the winner with 10,264 votes (23.7%), followed closely by **Alex Bob Rugonde with 9,704 votes (22.4%).
Other candidates included David Ndindirize (9,363 votes), Busingye Dorren (7,686 votes), Twebaze Doreen (1,811 votes), and Twinomujuni Ibrahim (104 votes).
The case remains under active investigation as court proceedings resume in September.
