I Spent Shs2 Billion on Campaign but Still Lost MP Seat – Former NRM MP Yona Musinguzi Says After Being Asked to Refund Museveni’s Donation

Former Ntungamo Municipality Member of Parliament Yona Musinguzi has revealed that he spent approximately Shs2 billion during his parliamentary campaign but still lost the seat, following pressure from Local Government Minister Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi to refund money President Yoweri Museveni donated to ghetto youths.

The controversy emerged after Barugahara contacted Musinguzi over at least Shs10 million reportedly donated by Museveni to support young people in Ntungamo Municipality. The money was channelled through Presidential Advisor Peace Rugambwa and Musinguzi for distribution to the intended beneficiaries.

During their telephone conversation, Barugahara reportedly directed the former legislator to refund the money within one week after concerns emerged that the intended beneficiaries had not received it. The minister insisted that the funds should reach the youths for whom they were intended.

Musinguzi acknowledged during the conversation that the beneficiaries had not signed for the money, explaining that the transactions took place during the campaign period. He reportedly agreed to refund the funds within the deadline given by the minister.

Barugahara also called for arrangements to ensure the money is distributed to the intended beneficiaries in the presence of the Resident District Commissioner and the district LCV chairman. The intervention has raised questions about accountability and the management of funds donated to support vulnerable communities.

As the minister pressed him over the amount, Musinguzi reportedly responded by revealing that he had spent about Shs2 billion campaigning for re-election but still failed to retain his parliamentary seat. The former legislator's account highlights the substantial sums some candidates say they spend while competing for political office in Uganda.

Musinguzi contested the Ntungamo Municipality parliamentary seat on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket but lost to independent candidate Gerald Karuhanga. Official election figures cited in the report indicate that Karuhanga secured 3,967 votes against Musinguzi's 2,824, winning by a margin of 1,143 votes.

Musinguzi's reported Shs2 billion campaign expenditure has renewed discussion about the rising cost of elections in Uganda, where candidates spend money on mobilisation, transport, publicity and campaign activities. However, the amount he says he spent has not been independently verified, and the circumstances surrounding the alleged failure to distribute Museveni's donation remain central to the accountability concerns raised by the minister.