Mbabazi Christine, who announced her candidacy with the People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) for the upcoming Kisoro District by-election, has officially withdrawn from the race scheduled for November 14, 2024.
This decision comes with only 40 days remaining until polling day, aimed at replacing the late Minister Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, who passed away on September 7, 2024.
Christine revealed that after thorough consultations with friends, elders, and family members, she has decided to step back from the by-election. They advised her to focus on preparing for the 2026 elections instead. She urged the voters of Kisoro to choose leaders based on their capabilities, integrity, vision, and emotional intelligence, rather than succumbing to financial bribes.
Christine emphasized her right to heed the advice of her elders and other stakeholders, expressing regret for any disappointment her decision may cause among party leaders who were ready to support her. “I know that I have disappointed the party leadership because they were prepared to support me, but for now, I need to prepare and focus on 2026,” she noted.
Meanwhile, the PFF chairperson in Kisoro District, Mushakamba Vincent, stated that Christine’s decision to withdraw is a demonstration of her democratic rights. However, he pointed out that she mishandled the procedures surrounding her withdrawal from the by-election.
The by-election process began with an update of the National Voters’ Register from September 27 to October 1, 2024, across all 71 parishes and wards in Kisoro District. The Electoral Commission designated October 1, 2024, as the cut-off date for voter registration and transfer requests. No transfers will occur after this date.
The display of the Voters’ Register will take place from October 14 to October 23, 2024, at all 322 polling stations in Kisoro District. The recommendations for deletions or additions to the register will be displayed from October 23 to October 28, 2024, at the respective Parish/Ward Headquarters.
Candidate nominations will occur on October 30 and 31, 2024, at the Office of the District Returning Officer in Kisoro. Successfully nominated candidates will campaign from November 1 to November 12, 2024. Polling and tallying of results for councillors representing Special Interest Groups will be on November 11, while the polling for the District Woman Representative to Parliament and other Local Government Councillors will be held on November 14, 2024.
