Minister Musasizi vows to hold onto NRM flag regardless of election outcome

The state minister for Finance (General Duties), Henry Ariganyira Musasizi, has vowed not to relinquish the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag for the 2026 parliamentary elections, regardless of the outcome of the party primaries.

While campaigning earlier this week in Bushura ward, Hamuhambo Town Council, Musasizi, who also serves as the NRM district chairperson, asserted that he would “declare himself winner” even if defeated, arguing that he cannot allow another candidate to carry the party flag.

Musasizi said in Rukiga, “Here in Rubanda, as the NRM district chairperson, I am the one who appoints the returning officers and drafts the election regulations. No one will be declared winner over me,” Musasizi told supporters.

Doubling down on the same claims during another rally in Rujanjara, Nyamweru sub-county on Thursday. He also urged voters to “finish their prayers early” on polling day next week and be ready to cast their votes, adding, “Even if my competitors get annoyed, I will not allow them to be declared winners.”

The remarks have sparked backlash from rival aspirants and party officials. Kenneth Jogo Biryabarema, Musasizi’s main challenger, described the comments as “unfortunate” and a “direct affront” to NRM’s democratic processes.

Jogo said it is not Musasizi’s role to declare the flag bearer because that responsibility lies solely with the district party registrar, based on who garners the highest number of votes.

He added that Musasizi’s utterances are a clear sign that the minister has lost ground and is preparing to interfere with the electoral process.”

Israel Atuhaire Mucunguzi, another aspirant, dismissed the minister’s remarks as a desperate attempt to intimidate voters.

Mucunguzi described Musasizi’s utterances as scare tactics because he knows the ground has shifted and is now trying to create a false sense of dominance.

Contacted for a comment, Aggrey Monday, the Rubanda NRM district registrar, distanced himself from Musasizi’s statements.

“My role is to announce the candidate who genuinely wins. I am guided by the party’s electoral guidelines, not personal declarations,” Monday said.

Musasizi’s candidacy remains controversial in the district, following allegations that his 2020 victory in the NRM primaries was marred by vote tampering.

Many residents accused Monday of manipulating the results in Musasizi’s favour, triggering protests and long-standing tensions in Rubanda East.