The Rubabo County NRM flag bearer aspirants, Bob Rugonde and Mathias Rwabugumi, have agreed to conduct a peaceful re-election in six polling stations scheduled for Monday next week.

The agreement was reached during a meeting on Tuesday evening between the two aspirants and the Rukungiri District Security Committee. The press was not allowed to attend the meeting which was chaired by Rukungiri Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Bron Kikanshemeza at his office in Rukungiri District headquarters.

RDC Kikanshemeza said he convened the meeting following reports of threats, violence, and intimidation among supporters of the two candidates.

“One of the resolutions was that both candidates should advise their supporters to avoid violence and focus on peaceful voting. Each candidate is allowed agents at all polling stations, and both must draft campaign roadmaps to avoid clashing in the same areas. Whoever engages in hate speech, violence, or abuse will face arrest,” said Kikanshemeza.

Speaking after the meeting, Mathias Rwabugumi thanked the RDC’s office for intervening.

“We were worried about the safety of our supporters who have been facing threats during mobilization. This meeting has given us confidence to continue with our campaigns peacefully,” Rwabugumi said.

Bob Rugonde also welcomed the outcome of the meeting.

“We have resolved our grievances and agreed to focus on seeking votes in a peaceful manner. We were reminded that elections involve both winning and losing, and only one candidate will be declared flag bearer,” Rugonde noted.

Out of the seven candidates who contested in the Rubabo NRM primaries, only Rugonde and Rwabugumi attended the meeting.

The meeting followed a ruling by the NRM Electoral Tribunal on 22nd August 2025, nullifying the earlier victory of Mathias Rwabugumi. The tribunal ordered fresh elections in Nyakiju, Rugarama, Rusharara, Rweere, Rwenkuriju, and Nyambambo polling stations. It further directed that the Rubabo County flag bearer would only be declared after tallying results from these stations.

The tribunal ruling came after a petition by Bob Rugonde challenging the July 17th, 2025 primaries. Rwabugumi had been declared winner with 10,264 votes (23.7%), narrowly beating Rugonde who garnered 9,704 votes (22.4%). Rugonde alleged that results from his stronghold polling stations were excluded from the final tally.

The controversy also led to the arrest of Rukungiri District NRM Registrar, Wright Mwongyera, who faces charges of forgery and tampering with election results.