For nearly a quarter century, Naome Kabasharira and Beatrice Rwakimari have defined Ntungamo politics. Fierce rivals since 2001, they will now sit together in the 12th Parliament, representing Rushenyi and Ruhaama counties respectively.
The two women spent years swapping the Ntungamo District Woman MP seat. This time, both won directly elected constituency seats, with Viola Namanya taking the Woman MP slot.
Kabasharira shifted the race in 2021 when she challenged former Deputy Attorney General Mwesigwa Rukutana in Rushenyi County and defeated him. The contest was bitter, marked by allegations of threats against voters.
‘The role of a leader is not to be a man or a woman, it’s to serve the people diligently, unite them, lobby and provide services they need best,’ Kabasharira said. ‘Yes, there are special interest group seats based on affirmative action, but all we look for in leadership is what they can offer.’
She said her victory came from a united demand for change. ‘When I stood against Rukutana, with a united force of Rushenyi people who felt a gap in services, we defeated him. It was not because I was a woman and he was a man. He was not a bad man, but people wanted change,’ she said. ‘In an election, no one looks at you as a man or woman. The special attention is on service delivery.’
Kabasharira first entered Parliament in 1993 through the electoral college as Ntungamo’s first Woman MP in the National Resistance Council. She retained the seat in 1996 when adult suffrage was introduced. Alongside Winnie Byanyima, Miria Matembe, Beatrice Byenkya, and the late Cecilia Ogwal, she became one of the most visible Woman MPs of her era.
Her profile rose further in 1997 when she led an anti-corruption crusade with Byanyima to censure Ministers Gen. Jim Muhwezi and Sam Kutesa.
But 2001 changed the trajectory. As she turned up for nomination, a petition at the Ntungamo Electoral Commission blocked her, citing missing academic credentials. Her Makerere University Social Sciences degree was recalled, forcing her to start over. Rwakimari was behind the disqualification.
Kellen Baguma, who was present that day, calls it a turning point. ‘The whole district had gathered. Everyone was excited. Kabasharira had become a strong national figure and no one could defeat her in an election. Over 300 vehicles had followed her to the nomination. When we reached, the Electoral Commission said they couldn’t nominate her, that she had fake papers,’ Baguma recalled. ‘Anyone who participated that day will never like Rwakimari, at least for political reasons.’
The 2001 race launched a rivalry that split both the two women and their voters. They faced off again in 2006, and Rwakimari won. Kabasharira returned to defeat her in 2011, only to lose in 2016. In 2021, Kabasharira took Rushenyi against Rukutana, while Rwakimari lost the Woman MP seat to Joselyn Bata Kamateneti.
‘I have not contested with someone who was as complicated as Ms Kabasharira,’ Rwakimari said after the 2021 loss. ‘She knows politics and she is so loved. I actually can only pray for those she contests with. Through our contests, we have only been political rivals. I can’t say we are enemies. We still greet each other and I think we are friends.’
Journalist Rwambuka Mugisha, who has covered their contests since 1993, says voters struggled to choose between them. ‘Each one has their exception. They are all so good. Rwakimari was good at lobbying for electricity and her NGO, ARISE, brought change in communities including the fight against HIV. Whereas Ms Kabasharira prioritized household income. She would bring seeds and seedlings to communities,’ he said.
Political lines deepened the split. Kabasharira was close to former District Chairperson John Wycliffe Karazarwe, while Rwakimari aligned with his opponents. Even with strong ground support, Kabasharira often faced legal and procedural hurdles. In 2011, Rwakimari petitioned the Electoral Commission to cancel her nomination over Primary Leaving Examination qualifications. The High Court dismissed the case.
Now both women say the rivalry is in the past, and Ntungamo stands to gain. ‘In all our contests, while people would say it was rivalry, we had the interests of Ntungamo at heart,’ Rwakimari said. ‘We still have these interests. That’s the reason we come to offer ourselves for leadership again. We would retire and advise, but we think we can make a bigger contribution. I am glad we shall be in this Parliament together.’
She argued that their experience across the district gives them reach beyond their constituencies. ‘Our jurisdiction will be constituencies, but our experience shall be Ntungamo, and it’s the people who benefit,’ she said.
Voters and analysts say the new arrangement offers a chance to compare leadership styles directly. ‘As a voter and someone who has supported the parties, I am waiting to see how they deliver the promises,’ said political analyst Edward Natamba. ‘We have a chance to see them all work at the same time and see who is better. We want to see among them who will work better.’
Baguma sees it as a historic moment. ‘No one would think this will ever happen. God has made us live long enough to see them seated in the same house and all working for Ntungamo. At the end of everything, we shall be able to weigh who has done better, and lobbied enough for their constituency.’
Justus Karuhanga, who backed Kabasharira in Rushenyi, said her approach has always been collective. ‘She understands the district. Her vision has become our shared vision. She never works or claims to work as an individual. I think that is even why she is the most fought MP. Whatever she does, we do it together as Rushenyi.’
Kamateneti, the outgoing Woman MP, said their return together closes a chapter. ‘When I came in, I filled the gap of voters seeking to end the rivalry between two individuals. They thought they were overstaying, but also had personal vendetta. People voted me to end that. I think as they come to Parliament together, the beneficiary is Ntungamo and no one looks at hurting the other,’ she said.
Steven Magume Rwabukwire argued that their move to constituency seats signals a shift for affirmative action seats. ‘This should show everyone in the country that the two women have reached a point where they no longer should be looked at as women but equals to society. Many women fear contesting for directly elected constituencies. I think someone should never contest for the Woman MP seat for more than two terms.’
Both women were born in Ntungamo but married outside the district. Rwakimari is married to Dr. John Rwakimari of Mparo in Rukiga. Kabasharira was married to the late Maj. John Bashaija Kazoora of Kashari in Mbarara.
Kabasharira is the only MP from Ntungamo in the 11th Parliament to return to the 12th. Her colleagues Benjamin Kamukama, Henry Nkwasibwe Zinkuratire, Yona Musinguzi Bikwasizehi, Michael Timuzigu Kamugisha, and Kamateneti all lost their seats, while Timuzigu did not seek re-election.