(Kisoro) – Rose Kabagyeni, former Kisoro District Woman MP, was declared the winner of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries in Kisoro, securing her place as the party’s flag bearer in the upcoming by-election. Kabagyeni won the primary race with 39,941 votes, narrowly defeating her closest rival, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, who received 39,197 votes—a difference of just 744 votes. The announcement was made by Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, around 11 p.m. on Friday.
This closely contested race was shaped by a two candidate competition, although six other aspirants participated in the primaries, all of whom received significantly fewer votes. Irene Mahirwe followed with 1,729 votes, Brenda Fancy Nirere received 1,593 votes, Faith Winfred Igiraneza garnered 510 votes, Jemimah Irakunda got 363 votes, Blessed Kitentera had 248 votes, and Hellen Mbonye trailed with 111 votes.
| Candidate | Votes Received | Vote Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Rose Kabagyeni | 39,941 | 47.7% |
| Grace Akifeza Ngabirano | 39,197 | 46.8% |
| Irene Mahirwe | 1,729 | – |
| Brenda Fancy Nirere | 1,593 | – |
| Faith Winfred Igiraneza | 510 | – |
| Jemimah Irakunda | 363 | – |
| Blessed Kitentera | 248 | – |
| Hellen Mbonye | 111 | – |
While the NRM party encouraged unity among aspirants, Akifeza has rejected the primary results, describing the voting process as unfair and alleging that it involved vote rigging to favor Kabagyeni. Akifeza claimed that the total number of votes exceeded the number of registered voters, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the outcome. Additionally, she accused Kabagyeni’s supporters of harassing her own supporters and polling agents, creating a tense environment at the polling stations.
In response to Akifeza’s claims, Kabagyeni alleged that Akifeza had transported students from Metropolitan University to vote, despite these individuals not appearing in the voter register. Dr. Tanga Odoi, however, declined to take up these claims, citing a lack of supporting evidence for either side’s allegations.
These primaries follow President Yoweri Museveni’s recent meeting with the 13 candidates, during which he encouraged some of them to withdraw in favor of Akifeza. While five candidates heeded this advice, Kabagyeni and several others chose to stay in the race, allowing voters to make the final decision.
The by-election scheduled for next month seeks to fill the Kisoro Woman MP seat left vacant after the sudden passing of Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, who held the position since 2021. Kabagyeni, who previously held this seat, lost to Mateke in the 2021 elections and has been seeking to reclaim it. Mateke’s unexpected passing on September 7 created an opportunity for Kabagyeni to once again pursue the position.
Kabagyeni brings a lengthy background in agricultural development and public service to her campaign. She was born in Nyakabande Subcounty, Kisoro District, and completed her primary education at Gikoro Primary School in 1987. She later attended Seseme Girls Secondary School, where she earned her Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) in 1990. Kabagyeni’s academic journey continued at Bukalasa Agricultural College, where she obtained certificates and a diploma in agriculture, eventually earning a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in agriculture from Makerere University. Her career includes work with the Kisoro local government and a stint as a consultant for the National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADS) before she entered the political arena in 2016.
Akifeza has called for a recount, asserting her commitment to seeking justice for what she perceives as voting irregularities. Kabagyeni, however, has affirmed her commitment to serving the people of Kisoro, confident in her support within the community.
