Minister Balaam Barugahara Interrupted by Pro-Besigye Protesters While Campaigning for Muhoozi in Rukungiri

Minister for Local Government Balaam Barugahara faced interruptions from supporters of jailed opposition leader Dr. Kizza Besigye during an anti-corruption rally in Rukungiri on October 28, as his campaign for Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba’s presidential ambitions collided with demands for the veteran opposition politician’s release.

The disruption unfolded at Rukungiri Main Stadium during Barugahara’s “Expose the Corrupt” campaign tour in the Kigezi sub-region. What had been organised as an exercise to assess local government performance took on a political dimension as sections of the crowd repeatedly chanted Besigye’s name.

Barugahara had been addressing residents and urging them to support Muhoozi, the Chief of Defence Forces and son of President Yoweri Museveni, for president.

But his message was interrupted by demonstrators demanding the release of Besigye, whose prolonged detention has remained a contentious issue in Ugandan politics.

A council also raises the matter of the release of Besigye.

The choice of venue carried particular significance. Besigye, a former presidential candidate and one of Museveni’s most prominent opponents, hails from Rwakabengo in Rukungiri Municipality.

The repeated chants forced Barugahara to address the issue of Besigye’s detention directly. In an attempt to calm the crowd, the minister said Gen. Salim Saleh was leading high-level political discussions intended to secure the opposition leader’s release.

Besigye has been in detention on treason charges following his abduction from Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2024 and subsequent return to Uganda by security operatives. His continued detention has drawn attention from opposition supporters, who have repeatedly demanded his release.

The rally also became an opportunity for Barugahara to push Muhoozi’s presidential ambitions. Even as protesters called for Besigye to be freed, the minister urged them to write their names and append their signatures on the list of people endorsing Muhoozi.

Behind Barugahara, posters bearing Muhoozi’s image were waved as the minister addressed the gathering, underscoring the competing political messages playing out at the stadium.

The incident illustrated the difficulty Barugahara faced in keeping the event focused on his anti-corruption campaign while addressing demands linked to one of the country’s most prominent opposition figures. His countrywide Anti-Corruption tours are peppered with Muhoozi endorsement activities.

Barugahara’s tour was intended to examine local government operations and expose suspected corruption. In Rukungiri, however, the rally also became a platform for residents to raise the politically sensitive question of Besigye’s continued detention.

The contrast was striking: while the minister called on residents to endorse Muhoozi, sections of the crowd used the gathering to press for the release of a politician whose career has been defined by his opposition to Museveni’s government.

Online, opposition leaders cheered Rukungiri people for speaking out.

 

Former Rukungiri Municipality parliamentary contestant Ingrid Turinawe praised the councilor who raised Besigye’s issue.

 

“We will use every opportunity to expose you and demand the unconditional release of Dr Kizza Besigye because he is innocent, wrote Turinawe.

 

“Thank you Hon. Councilor Mathias and all Rukungiri People who turned up to make this statement. No surrender, no apology.”

Thank you Rukungiri! At a time when your son @kizzabesigye1 is sick, weak, and locked up in prison, you have reminded the whole country that Rukungiri does not abandon its own.

Rukungiri has spoken-FREE BESIGYE! https://t.co/uo2H64S3TJ

— Nyanjura Doreen Omutatina (@DoreenNyanjura) October 29, 2026

“Thank you Rukungiri! At a time when your son Dr Kizza Besigye is sick, weak and locked up in prison, you have reminded the whole country that Rukungiri does not abandon its own. Rukungiri has spoken-Free Besigye,” wrote Doreen Nyanjura, the head of special interest groups in the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) party, and a strong Besigye ally.

Meanwhile, Besigye is being taught how to speak again and walk again, as reported Here.