Ntungamo, home of the First Family

Ntungamo area evolved from Rwampara and Kajara counties which were part of former Ankole Kingdom during the reign of Omugabe Kahaya Rutindangyezi. Rwanda Kingdom under its powerful and spiritual leader Kigyeli at one time extended its influence there and had its central base in Kabezi area and present-day Ngoma Sub-county.

Early rebellion
Though Ankole Kingdom had a long lasting influence there, the Bakiga who mainly lived in current Kayonza Sub-county area were always rebellious against the king’s authority. When colonialists came, they assigned Buganda to administer Kajara while Rwampara remained in the hands of the Bahima. This is the main reason many parts of Kajara like Nyamunuuka remain predominantly occupied by Baganda Muslims.

Kajara became part of Bushenyi District when it was created in the 1970s while Rwampara became part of Mbarara District. Ntungamo was one of the first districts to be created at the advent of decentralisation and carved from Bushenyi and Mbarara in 1993. It was created at the time Kisoro and Kalangala were cut out from Kabale and Masaka districts respectively.

Ntungamo has a municipality, three town councils and 18 sub-counties. Rubaare, Kitwe and Rwashamaire are the town councils. Ntungamo municipality has three divisions; Central, Western and Eastern. Sub-counties include Ntungamo, Nyakyera, Itojo, Rukoni West, Rukoni East, Ruhaama, Rweikiniro, Ngoma, Kayonza, Rubaare, Rugarama, Rushenyi; Nyabihoko, Bwongyera, Ihunga and Kibatsi.

Movers and Shakers

Mary Mugyenyi.
She is the wife of the former Bank of Uganda Governor Joshua Amugyenyi and former Nyabushozi County MP. She is the brain behind the Nshenyi Culture Village.

Mande Mabare.
The former Ntungamo Chief Administrative Officer is the current head of FDC in Ntungamo municipality.

Mbabazi Shakilah Karyeija.
She is the Ruhaama and Rweikiniro Sub-counties councillor and secretary for finance and administration in the council.

John Karazarwe.
He was the first district chairperson of Ntungamo District and led it for 18 years before being defeated in 2010 NRM primaries. He now rears cattle.

Aloysious Kashamba
He is the head of the Catholic Church in Ntungamo since 1992, being the most senior priest and head priest at Ntungamo Parish.

Goodra Behakanira.
She is widow to the late Joseph Behakanira of Avemah Shopping Centre and Bwebaja Chogm hotel. She is influential in Ruhaama politics.

Maj Gen Zed Maruru.
Col Maruru was President Idi Amin’s Air Force commander. He also served as acting commander of the Uganda Air Force in 1973/74 and later as President Museveni’s advisor on military affairs.

Justine Mbabazi.
The former Masaka District female youth councillor is the deputy Resident District Commissioner.

Steven Baba.
A generational political artist-turned gospel singer is famous for the Kahurire a.k.a. Uganda Congress song that steered the UPC government.

Prof Joseph Ndabahweje.
The historical also participated in the Moshi Conference and other political events following the fall of Idi Amin. He has kept a low profile at his home in Kyamate Ntungamo since his retirement.

Edmund Kamuhangire.
He is the chairperson western region mobile traders association. He has been in the business for 28 years.

Amon Tushabomwe (Redman).
He is a lone music artiste based in the district with five music albums.

Who are the movers and shakers of ntungamo?

Janet Keinembabazi Kataaha Museveni
She is the daughter of the late Edward Kataaha of Irenga Village, Ntungamo Sub-county. Kataaha, whose maiden name is Keinembabazi, is the MP for Ruhaama County. Kataaha is wife of President Museveni and also the Minister for Karamoja Affairs. In Ruhaama, she is credited for extending safe water and electricity. Ms Museveni is the only remaining daughter in the family of six.

Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu
The president of Forum for Democratic Change is a son to the minister of Education and Culture in Obote I government, the late Muntoyera. The former army commander was born in Kitunga Rwashamaire Town council. He joined the NRA bush war in the early 1980s.

Mwesigwa Rukutana.
The Minister for Labour is the MP for Rushenyi County. Mr Rukutana rose to fame after opposing President Museveni’s role in the district politics. He stood for Rushenyi MP seat following the death of Kazoora in 1997.

Steven Tashobya
He is the Kajara County MP and head of the parliamentary legal affairs committee. Mr Tashobya is a lawyer and worked as the legal officer Banyankole Kweterana, Uganda cooperative union. He is serving his second term.

Yona Musinguzi Bikwasizehi.
He has been a politician since his school life. Mr Musinguzi was a hall chairperson at MUBS, before becoming Nakawa Division councillor KCCA minister for works in the Ntege Ssebagala regime. He is MP for Ntungamo Municipality.

Augustine Ruzindana
He is the first Inspector General of government after the bush war who later became an MP for Ruhaama County. Mr Ruzinda dominated the area politics until Ms Museveni jumped in to the ring. He is now the director of research for FDC.

Bob Kabonero.
The businessman has a financial influence in the district, sponsoring several projects ranging from church, community farming to sports. His major businesses are, however, in Kampala which are in the hospitality industry.

Alice Kafooda.
She is one of the richest women in Ntungamo town. The business lady has more than 10 buildings in Ntungamo, Kitwe, and Mirama hills. She gave birth to her first child at 48. Kafooda is also a politician and opposition FDC women league district chairperson.

Rwabukwisi Frederick Rwabukuru.
The former truck driver is the chairperson Ntungamo District NRM elders league, a business man and opinion leader. Rwabukwisi is a pioneer developer of Ntungamo municipality being the first African to own a shop in Ntungamo town.

Denis Singahache
The district chairperson, also a businessman, was born in Rutunguru Ihunga Sub-county. He has been in politics all his life starting from village chairperson. The NRA bush war mobiliser once served as Ihunga Sub-county councillor.

Gerald Karuhanga
The 29-year-old Western Youth MP is famous for his anti-corruption crusade. He was born in Itojo Sub-county to Mr Jacob Kafureka Jaka Jex who is the Mayor Ntungamo municipality. He is a former Makerere University guild president.

Justice Richard Buteera
The former Director of Public Prosecution is a proud son of Ntungamo born from Kashenyi Ngoma sub county. Mr. Buteera is currently a justice of high court of Uganda.

Elly Rwakakoko
He was the Ruhaama County CA delegate. The former Commissioner General URA, was also managing director of Uganda Commercial Bank, retired to private work and now deals in hardware.

Beatrice Rwakimari
Ms Rwakimari was the Ntungamo Woman MP for two terms until 2011. She was born to the late Karagirwe of Kakukuru Rweikiniro Sub-county. Though she is married to Dr Rwakimari of Rukungiri District, she remains an influence in Ntungamo.

Matayo Tumwine.
He is the chairperson of the Ntungamo business community and father-in-law of the Ntungamo Municipality MP Yona Musinguzi Bikwasizehi. He is a real estate dealer and is vibrant in the Catholic Church.

Peace Musiime
Former councillor Itojo Sub-county is one of the biggest business and farming women. She deals in chicken, chicken products and matooke. She served as Itojo councillor from 1987 to 2011.

Peter Kibondo Rwakifari.
The Resident District Commissioner has taught in primary and secondary schools and was also the principal Ibanda Teachers Training College. He served as Bushenyi District council speaker.

Sheikh Ismail Kashangirwe.
He is the head of the Muslim Community and was recently installed as the district Khadhi. Kashangirwe was born in a predominantly Christian family. Born in Rubaare Sub-county, Kashangirwe also served as the Rushenyi Sheikh.

Jacob Kafureka Jaka Jez.
He is the Ntungamo Municipality mayor. He owns seven buildings in town, including those housing Stanbic Bank and Finance Trust bank. He is father of Western Region Youth MP Gerald Karuhanga.

Constance Kabonero
Constance Kabonero is a mother, a church lay leader, an entrepreneur, and a farmer. She is mother of the ambassador to Rwanda, Mr Richard Kabonero, Mr Bob Kabonero of Kampala Kasino and Ms Susan Muhwezi, wife of Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi.

Tumwesigye Bosco Simba.
He is the leader of opposition in the district council where he is the only member of the opposition. He is the only elected leader at any level in his political party, the Uganda Federal Alliance. At 26, Mr Tumwesigye deals in real estate.

Peace Kaconco
She is the coordinator of people living with HIV/Aids and councillor for Rubaare and Rugarama sub-counties. She is commended for her role in the fight against HIV, especially through targeting commercial sex workers and truck drivers.

Bishop Nathan Ahimbisibwe.
He is the head of the Church of Uganda South Ankole Diocese, the newest diocese in the Province of the Church of Uganda. Born in Masheruka, Sheema District, Bishop Ahimbisibwe was crowned bishop in 2012.

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