The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Rukungiri has granted bail to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) elections officer for Rukungiri District, following his arrest on allegations of electoral malpractice during the party’s Rubabo County MP primaries.
Wright Mwongyera, was arrested on Friday July 25, 2025, after he was accused of failing to tally results from eight polling stations in Buyanja Sub-county.
The missing results reportedly favored Alex Bob Rugonde, a leading candidate in the primary elections. However, Rugonde alleges that the omission cost him victory, leading to Mwongyera’s arrest.
During a court hearing on Monday July 28, 2025, Grade I Magistrate His Worship Mbarabgu Gonzaga granted Mwongyera a non-cash bail of UGX 15 million, with each of his three sureties bonded at UGX 10 million.
The magistrate emphasized that Mwongyera “must not travel beyond the borders of Rukungiri District without court permission,” and that he “must not interfere with ongoing investigations and must attend all court sessions without fail.”
Mwongyera is expected back in court on September 15, 2025.
The sureties included:Samuel Mpamize (73), a peasant from Rusoroza A Cell, Rwerere Town Council, Henry Ngateireyo (68), Mwongyera’s biological father, Garshom Mutungura (51), his uncle.
Speaking to the media after the court session, Alex Bob Rugonde welcomed the court’s decision, saying he was happy with the progress so far.
He urged his supporters to remain calm and patient as the court process continues.
Rugonde also called on the court to expedite the trial so that he can decide whether to return to the race as an independent candidate, should the ruling not favor him.
Sarah Nasike, the lawyer representing Mwongyera, thanked the court for granting her client bail, saying it would give him time to refresh and prepare for the trial.
Meanwhile, some of Rugonde’s supporters have appealed to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to intervene, saying the matter could affect the NRM party’s performance in the 2026 general elections.
In the recently concluded NRM primary elections for Rubabo County, Mathias Mwesigwa was declared the winner after polling 10,264 votes (23.7%). He was followed by Alex Bob Rugonde with 9,704 votes (22.4%), David Ndindirize with 9,363 votes (21.6%), Busingye Dorren with 7,686 votes (17%), Twebaze Doreen with 1,811 votes (4.2%), and Twinomujuni Ibrahim with 104 votes (0.2%).
The case remains under investigation as court proceedings continue.
