State Minister for Finance and Rubanda East MP Henry Musasizi has warned religious leaders in Rubanda District against interfering in local politics, accusing some of openly supporting his rival in the upcoming National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries.
Speaking at a community gathering in Kashaki Village, Bubare Town Council, Musasizi—who also serves as NRM district chairperson—said the party will not tolerate sectarian sentiments or religious interference in the electoral process.
“You’ve entered the game we know perfectly well. You’ll be heavily defeated,” Musasizi said, referring to religious leaders he claims are backing his opponent, Jogo Kenneth Biryabarema.
The minister’s remarks come days after Bishop Gaddie Akanjuna of the Church of Uganda publicly endorsed Biryabarema during a confirmation service at Nyamweru Parish on June 15. The bishop urged Christians to “vote wisely” in the July 16 NRM primaries, praising Biryabarema’s ability to lobby for infrastructure and education improvements in the district.
Musasizi, who has served as Rubanda East MP since 2011, is seeking re-election in 2026 and faces a growing challenge from Biryabarema, a former Rubanda District Chairperson.
He stressed that the NRM is committed to ensuring a democratic and peaceful election, free from divisionism based on religion or ethnicity. His comments underline growing tensions in the Kigezi sub-region, where religious influence is increasingly shaping political alignments ahead of the party primaries.
“This election will not be determined by pulpits or altars,” Musasizi said. “It will be decided by the people through the party structures.”
The NRM primaries in Rubanda are expected to be hotly contested, as political and religious dynamics collide in one of the region’s most watched electoral battles.
