2026 Updates: Alex Magezi Kanuga vows to take over Rukiga County

As the 2026 General Elections draw closer, we continue to profile Candidates planning on contesting in the polls for the 12th Parliament. Mr. Alex Magezi Kanuga is set to contest for Rukiga County in Rukiga District MP seat come 2026 but how much do you know about him. Read on…

Who is Alex Magezi Kanuga?

Alex Magezi Kanuga(AMK), widely known in Rukiga as Kanuga( his late father’s name), is a distinguished figure originating from Kigara Kamwezi in the Rukiga district. Transforming from a skilled Statistician/Health economist into a thriving International businessman, he currently holds the position of Chairman/CEO at Kanuga Auto, a prestigious South African dealership specializing in Mercedes, BMW, and Land Rover parts and cars. Additionally, he serves as a Partner and Director at SA Health, an international health equipment and sundries distributor company with branches spanning South Africa, Zambia, Tanzania, and Uganda.

In the realm of humanitarian work, Kanuga is a founder of Southern Health Foundation and International NGO, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Health Programs and Systems, a leading South African NGO. Back Home Alex Kanuga is the Patron Rukiga Students Association-Makerere University (RUSA) and also patron of the Kamwezi Togetherness Association (KATA), that plays a pivotal role in uniting Kamwezians in development.Not confined to boardrooms and associations, he also engages in farming activities in Luwero, Uganda.

Educationally, Kanuga holds a Master’s degree in Health Economics from the University of Cape Town in South Africa, a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics/Economics from Makerere University in Uganda, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Management with a specialization in Monitoring and Evaluation from Witwatersrand University in SA. His educational journey began at Kamwezi Primary School and Nyabirerema Primary School, followed by secondary education at Kigezi High School, culminating in higher education at Nyakasura School, where he studied Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM).

Alex MK’s career trajectory is marked by a brief stint at the Department of Statistics in Entebbe after university, followed by over a decade at British American Tobacco. Starting as a Market Analyst, he climbed the ranks to become the National Sales Manager before embarking on a journey to South Africa in 2001. There, he contributed significantly as a Biostatistician in the Department of Health and later as an M&E specialist for USAID and CDC-funded NGOs. In 2006, Alex transitioned from full-time professional employment to full-time business.

Rooted in a politically active family, Alex MK’s involvement in politics traces back to his youth. Born into a family where his father and uncles were among the first FRONASA operatives in Kigezi, he experienced the political landscape first hand. Noteworthy is his contribution to Rukiga politics, where, with his charismatic approach and determination, he assisted Jack Sabiiti in winning the Rukiga MP seat in 2001. After years in South Africa, he returned to Uganda in 2016 and, in 2021, played a pivotal role in securing victory for his friend Hon. Roland Ndyomugyenyi in the Rukiga MP seat. Looking forward, AMK sets his sights on representing Rukiga as an MP under the NRM ticket in 2026. There you go!!!