Campaigns for the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament seat officially commenced this week, igniting a competitive race among six candidates vying for the position. The contenders include Rose Kabagyeni from the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Grace Ngabirano Akifeza running independently, Musanase Juliet of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Najjanankumbi faction, Aisha Chimpaye of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Sultana Salim Tana representing the National Unity Platform (NUP), and Meble Ingabire from the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
With the campaigns underway, local voters have been vocal about their demands, particularly for improved infrastructure. Henry Atwebembere from Mutugunda village, along with Siman Nibajimana and Richard Ndikumwami from Nkuringo town council, highlighted the need for road rehabilitation, noting that deteriorated roads hinder transportation and limit access to services. They also emphasized the need for expanded electricity distribution to rural areas and the installation of network boosters to improve connectivity.
In response to these concerns, candidate Grace Ngabirano Akifeza pledged to prioritize issues of infrastructure, specifically addressing roads, access to clean water, healthcare, and network coverage. “The people of Kisoro deserve functional roads, reliable healthcare, and modern communication networks to keep pace in today’s digital world,” she stated during a campaign rally.
In an interview, Dr. Philemon Mateke, the NRM Kisoro District Chairperson, expressed concerns over the selection of Rose Kabagyeni as the NRM flag bearer for the Kisoro District Woman MP seat. He disclosed that Kabagyeni’s candidacy was imposed by the party’s top national leadership, alleging that there was widespread vote rigging in the NRM primaries.
Despite Kabagyeni holding the official party endorsement, Dr. Mateke stated that Grace Ngabirano Akifeza, who is now running as an independent, is seen by many within the district as the true representative of NRM values and the preferred candidate among locals. According to him, Ngabirano, though independent, has strong roots in the party and is viewed by a large portion of the constituency as the popular choice to represent the NRM in parliament.
The campaigns are scheduled to conclude on November 12, ahead of the voting date on November 14, as set by the Electoral Commission. This election follows the passing of Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, the former Kisoro Woman MP and State Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs, who died on September 7, 2024, due to a heart attack.
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