President Yoweri Museveni on Monday rushed to Rukungiri a day earlier than scheduled to rally support for the NRM Winnie Matsiko, the NRM party candidate in the Rukungiri district woman MP byelections.
The elections slated for Thursday May 31, has seen the President join a number of Opposition leaders including his longtime opponent Dr Kizza Besigye who has been in the district since the beginning of last week.
President Museveni is expected to address rallies in Nyakishenyi, Nyarushanje, Kabisoni and Buyanja sub counties on Monday and in Ruhinda, Bwambara, Bugangari and Rukungiri municipality on Tuesday when the campaigns end according to the Electoral Commission timetable.
Former FDC Presidential candidate Dr Kizza Besigye has been in all sub-counties in the district at times addressing rallies at villages rallying supporters to vote for the FDC candidate.
He was last week joined by several party loyalists and Opposition politicians including FDC secretary General Nathan Nandala Mafabi, FDC secretary for security Mr Sadick Amin, Kawempe south MP Mubarak Munyagwa, Kampala Lord Mayor Elias Lukwago, Buhweju county MP Francis Mwijukye, area Members of parliament Roland Mugume Kaginda of Rukungiri Municipality and Fred Turyamuhweza of Rujumbura, FDC mobilization secretary Ingrid Turinawe among others.
On Sunday, Leader of Opposition in Parliament Winnie Kizza, former FDC president Maj Gen Mugisha Muntu, Kasese Municipality MP Robert Centenary joined the campaigns.
Several other NRM leaders are expected on ground in the district joining RDCs, Generals Jim Muhwezi and Henry Tumukunde, Ms Peace Rugambwa of Boona Bagaigahare Nyekundeire group among others.
Dr Kizza Besigye and the FDC group campaign in Bwambara and the municipality on Monday while they will finish their campaigns in Kebisoni and Buyanja sub-counties on Tuesday.
There was heavy police and military deployment in Rukungiri with both motorized and foot patrols in and around the district
The Rukungiri district police commander Mr Moses Nanoka says there have not been major incidences in the district but added that police had to deploy to avoid eventualities.
A UPDF vehicle with Military police personnel was seenn patrolling streets of Rukungiri on Monday, while a military camp had been set up at Marumba scouts camping ground and Eastern division headquarters in the municipality.
Other forces are stationed at Rwenshama in Bwambara Sub County near the Fish landing site.
Several other police armored vehicles and patrol pickups are stationed at the Rukungiri central police station.
