Fresh tensions are escalating in Rubabo County ahead of the NRM re-elections, as Mathias Mwesigwa Rwabugumi, the NRM flag bearer, has accused his rival, Alex Bob Rugonde, of orchestrating attacks against his supporters.

The accusations follow an incident on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, when two of Rwabugumi’s supporters were allegedly assaulted by individuals identified as Rugonde’s backers in the Bagarame Trading Centre, Rugarama cell. The victims, Andrew Gumisiriza and Laban Taremwa, both from Nyarushanje, were reportedly putting up campaign posters for Rwabugumi when they were beaten by two men, Ramazan and Allan, after refusing to pull down the posters.

The victims sustained injuries to their heads, shoulders, arms, and backs. “They told us to pull down Rwabugumi’s posters, and when we refused, they attacked us,” the victims recounted.

Onani Kyanyanga, Rwabugumi’s campaign agent, confirmed the attack and called on politicians to abandon violence in favor of peaceful campaigning.

In response, Rwabugumi condemned the assault, accusing Rugonde of deploying “goons” to intimidate his supporters and disrupt his campaign. He emphasized that politics should be about persuasion, not violence.

“Rugonde should respect the NRM Tribunal’s ruling for fresh elections and refrain from resorting to such tactics,” Rwabugumi stated.

The NRM Electoral Tribunal had ruled on August 22, 2025, to nullify Rwabugumi’s earlier victory in the July 17, 2025, party primaries, citing irregularities in the election process.

This decision, which called for fresh elections at six polling stations, followed a petition from Rugonde, who challenged the results claiming exclusion of key stronghold polling stations. Rwabugumi had narrowly defeated Rugonde by 560 votes, with 10,264 votes (23.7%) compared to Rugonde’s 9,704 votes (22.4%).

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

The re-elections, which are scheduled before September 15, 2025, will determine the official NRM flag bearer for Rubabo County ahead of the general elections.

Efforts to reach Rugonde for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone numbers were reportedly unreachable by press time.