A highly anticipated joint campaign launch by National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary aspirants in Ibanda Municipality took a chaotic turn on Tuesday when furious supporters turned on incumbent MP Tarsis Rwaburindore, booing him off stage and forcing him to flee multiple rallies.
The campaign, meant to showcase party unity ahead of the 2026 general elections, featured Rwaburindore and his challenger Winston Rutehenda—the current NRM district chairman and son of the late Mzee Rutehenda, a respected elder and longtime party stalwart affectionately known as Orutindi (the bridge).
Multiple rallies were held across different areas in Ibanda Municipality, including Nyamirima grounds in Nyabuhikye and Ibanda Integrated grounds. However, in an unexpected twist, angry NRM supporters made it impossible for Rwaburindore to address the crowds.
Witnesses say that each time the MP attempted to speak, chants of disapproval erupted, with sections of the crowd booing and others attempting to snatch the microphone from him.
“The people were just not having it. They shouted him down and told him to go. At one point, some even threatened to beat him if he insisted on talking,” said a supporter who attended the Nyabuhikye rally. “They blame him for failing to deliver on his promises—nothing has changed in Ibanda, and the roads are worse than ever.”
At Ibanda Integrated grounds, tensions escalated further when a group of supporters warned that the MP would be “lynched” if he dared continue speaking. Fearing for his safety, Rwaburindore was escorted away as chants of “Winston, the fresh blood!” filled the air.
Observers say the groundswell of support for Winston Rutehenda is driven by growing discontent over poor service delivery in Ibanda Municipality. Many locals blame the sitting MP for the state of disrepair in major areas like Bufunda, Jubilee, and Kagongo, where potholes, poor drainage, and failed infrastructure have become the norm.
Winston, a newcomer to parliamentary politics, has quickly gained traction within the constituency. As the son of Mzee Rutehenda, who was instrumental in building NRM’s foundation in the district, Winston is widely viewed as a symbol of hope and generational renewal. His rise appears to be tapping into public frustration and yearning for accountability.
“We are tired of being ignored. Winston is young, energetic, and he knows what the people want. We believe he can be our voice,” said a youth supporter in Nyabuhikye.
The joint campaign was initially seen as a strategic move by NRM to promote cohesion among party aspirants and prevent internal sabotage in the primaries. However, the events of yesterday suggest deep fractures within the party’s local structures—fractures that could undermine its unity heading into 2026.
While Rwaburindore has not publicly commented on the incidents, sources close to his camp suggest he is rethinking his campaign strategy in the face of mounting grassroots anger.
Meanwhile, Winston Rutehenda continues to ride a wave of popular support, with residents now referring to him as “the new bridge” for Ibanda.
