Kyegegwa, Uganda – June 2, 2025
In a dramatic turn of events at Humura Playground, the race for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) District chairmanship in Kyegegwa came to an abrupt shift after Mr. Muhire Silva was disqualified just seconds before the voting exercise commenced.
Mr. Silva, who had gained notable support in the district, was dropped from the race after the NRM District Electoral Commission presented a court ruling implicating him in a case involving identity fraud and false refugee claims.
According to court documents, Muhire approached the police at Kyaka II Refugee Settlement to accuse a man named Milton of defrauding him. However, during investigations, police discovered inconsistencies in Muhire’s identity. Though he had presented himself as a Congolese refugee, further verification revealed that he held a valid Ugandan National Identity Card under the name Tumuhimbise Silver, contradicting his refugee claim.
Authorities found that Muhire had also used official refugee documentation including:
A Refugee Attestation Form Ration Card No. A5032555 Individual Case No. 76600070974, dated May 10, 2018
These documents identified him as having arrived in Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2004, adding to the deception.
Court Proceedings and Judgment
Muhire pleaded guilty to the charges and acknowledged that the accusations were true. Despite being a first-time offender, the prosecution pushed for a deterrent sentence, highlighting the severity of impersonating a refugee.
The accused requested forgiveness, and the magistrate acknowledged that Muhire had not wasted the court’s time. He was therefore handed a UGX 200,000 fine (approx. USD 55 at the time) or, in default, one year of imprisonment.
The presiding Magistrate, Byamugisha Derick, further directed that the Ugandan National ID presented in court be returned to NIRA (National Identification and Registration Authority) for cancellation.
“Accused: it’s true, plea of guilty entered.”
The inconsistencies led to investigations which concluded that he had entered Uganda from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in 2004 and was not legally eligible to contest under NRM structures.
Following his disqualification, the contest narrowed down to two candidates: Mr. Peter Rutaisire from Rwentuha and the incumbent Lt. Wilson Byabona. In a closely watched election held amid tight security and anticipation, Lt. Byabona emerged victorious with a commanding lead, securing a renewed mandate to steer NRM activities in Kyegegwa District.
The nullification of Mr. Silva underscores the ongoing scrutiny within NRM’s vetting processes, especially in regions with significant cross-border migration histories. It also raises broader questions about identity verification and political eligibility.
While Mr. Silva and his supporters have yet to make a public statement, sources close to the party leadership indicated that the decision was made in strict compliance with party guidelines and national electoral laws.
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