By Joseph Masereka
The race for MP in Kasese District’s Bukonzo West Constituency is gaining momentum with a heated race expected, with Godfrey Kabbyanga Baluku Kiime, the Minister of State for National Guidance at the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance, confirming to The Pearl Times that he was in the ring to unseat incumbent Atkins Godfrey Katusabe.
In 2021 Bukonzo West MP race, Katusabe of then main opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) garnered 36,386 votes to beat former minister Chrispus Kiyonga of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s National Resistance Movement (NRM) who got 28,520 and Fatuma Cassim Sidrat of the National Unity Platform (NUP) who trailed with only 993 votes.
Now, The Pearl Times can confirm that Minister Kabbyanga is in the race and his team is doing groundwork to popularize his candidature and eat into Katusabe’s votes.
Addressing patriots during the opening ceremony for a seven-day ideological deepening engagement organized by the Ministry of ICT and National Guidance in partnership the Patriotism League of Uganda (PLU) held at Bwera Secondary School in Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council Kasese District recently, Kabyanga said he was ready to take on Katusabe and any other person interested in the seat.
‘‘I am only waiting for 2026 election; so, patriots I am asking for your support,’’ said Kabyanga.
He further rooted for Museveni (YK) and his son CDF Gen Muhoozi Kainerugaba (MK) arguing that they both had good intentions for the country.
“‘I urge you to support YK and MK in order to win 2026 elections. The membrane which separates YK and MK can only be seen if you use a microscope which means both have similar vision for the country,’’ stated Kabyanga.
It should be remembered that on December 14, 2023 while at Kiime Resort in Mpondwe-Lhubiriha Town Council, Kabbyanga made it clear to local reporters that he was not contesting on Kasese mayor seat but rather for Bukonzo west county.
“I want to tell the public that I will not contest for mayor ship seat whoever is ready should pick interest. I am declaring to contest for Bukonzo west county,’’ said Kabyanga.
Kabbyanga lost mayoral seat in the 2021 general election to Chance Kahindo Sibyavugha who garnered 11,572 votes. Kabbyanga got 10,937 votes ahead of NUP’s Samuel Ahebwa who polled 143 and Independent candidate Johnson Mutungwa who managed 99 votes.
The minister asked NRM supporters to take his plan in good faith and remain united, saying his experience with former political competitors in the last NRM primaries for Kasese Municipality Mayoral seat should work as an example.
Kabbyanga has steadily been emerging as Museveni’s voice in Kasese and Rwenzori at large.
The announcement for his appointment as a minister in 2021 came after Museveni’s secretary had deleted his name from the cabinet list. (Read Story Here).
You can also read about Robert Motoma, the Youthful NUP Politician Giving NRM MP Kambale Sleepless Nights Ahead of 2026 HERE.
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