RUKUNGIRI, UGANDA – The whereabouts of Sam Mugumya, a political activist and candidate for the Rukungiri Member of Parliament seat, remain unknown nearly two months after his alleged abduction from Nim Hotel in Mbarara.
Mugumya’s prolonged disappearance is now being linked to high-stakes political rivalry within the PFF party, with sources suggesting that rivals feared his growing influence and potential to win the ballot.
According to information gathered by TheBriefPost, Mugumya’s entry into the parliamentary race was reportedly encouraged and supported by prominent politician Hon. Winnie Byanyima. It is alleged that Byanyima had promised to sponsor his political campaigns, a move that would have significantly boosted his chances of securing the seat.
This development is said to have caused considerable internal friction. The report indicates that Ingrid Turinawe, a senior PFF party member who is also eyeing the same parliamentary seat, was angered by Mugumya’s candidacy and the backing he received.
Furthermore, the involvement of Hon. Byanyima reportedly “disturbed” Gen. Henry Tumukunde. The concern stemmed from the belief that Byanyima’s support, coupled with the political network of opposition figure Dr. Kizza Besigye, would give Mugumya an unbeatable advantage in the race.
The circumstances surrounding Mugumya’s abduction and the alleged political motives have cast a shadow over the electoral process in Rukungiri, raising serious concerns about the safety of political candidates and the volatile nature of intra-party competition. Authorities have yet to issue a definitive statement on the progress of the investigation into his disappearance.
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