Kanungu District — The race for the Kinkizi East Parliamentary seat in the 2026 general elections is shaping up into one of the most competitive contests in the region, with seven candidates officially set to appear on the ballot. The lineup features candidates from political parties as well as several independents, each with distinct campaign symbols that voters will use to identify them on election day.
Hon. Benedicto Niwamanya Rutemba, running under the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF), will appear on the ballot with the phone as his official symbol. Rutemba, who has been gaining increasing visibility in local politics, is positioning his campaign on promises of change and community-centered leadership.
Incumbent Minister and long-serving legislator Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi returns to the ballot under the NRM ticket, carrying the party’s traditional bus symbol. Dr. Baryomunsi is seeking to extend his stay in Parliament, having represented the constituency for years on the ruling party platform.
The remaining five aspirants will contest as independent candidates, each presenting a unique symbol approved by the Electoral Commission.
Eng. Arinitwe Sam Kajoojo, a popular figure in local development circles, enters the race with the watch as his symbol, signalling his message of “time for effective change.”
Karungi Ruth Tukahirwa, who stands out as the only female candidate in the race, will appear on the ballot with a chair symbol. Her campaign has been emphasizing community welfare, women empowerment, and inclusive representation.
Akampurira Godfrey, widely known as Akampa wa Karuma, joins the contest with the radio as his symbol, reflecting his grassroots mobilization style and strong communication-focused message.
Dr. Alex Byamukama will be represented by the coffee symbol, linking his campaign to agriculture, productivity, and local economic revival.
Naturinda Aggrey, another independent, will appear with the house as his campaign symbol, advocating for stability, development, and improved livelihoods.
The presence of multiple strong independents, alongside party-backed candidates, signals a highly competitive political season for Kinkizi East. Analysts predict that the diversity of candidates and symbols may energize voter interest ahead of the 2026 polls.
As campaigns intensify across Kanungu District, the constituency is expected to witness one of the most closely watched parliamentary races in the western region.
