The Kisoro Woman Member of Parliament NRM flag bearer aspirant, Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, has slammed the results from the NRM electoral commission, calling for a recount of the votes.
This follows her declaration as second with 39,197 votes (46.8%), while Rise Kabagenyi was declared the NRM flag bearer with 39,941 votes (47.7%), a difference of 744 votes.
Akifeza revealed that the elections were not free and fair in some polling stations, particularly in Nyakabande, Busanza Subcounty, and Mupaka Town Council.
She noted that in some stations, the number of votes exceeded the overall population according to the 2024 census. Consequently, she refused to sign the results from the NRM flag bearer elections.
Akifeza stated she is ready to work for the people of Kisoro as the NRM flag bearer by improving health, infrastructure, and education, mentioning that she has already donated mathematical sets to all candidates in Kisoro district. She emphasized, “I do not agree with these results because there was a pattern of malpractice, including vote-rigging and intimidation of my agents. I am requesting a vote recount.”
According to Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission, the elections were free and fair. He urged the winner to unite with the other eight candidates to foster development in Kisoro. However, he acknowledged challenges in some polling stations, such as people not using the official register, and intervened as quickly as possible.
Dr. Odoi stated, “These elections were free and fair. I know the elections cannot be perfect, but my role is not to ensure 100% satisfaction. The announced results are therefore valid. You candidates are all poor by the way because I am richer than you. None of you can bribe me; I cannot be bribed by anyone. I was trusted and appointed by the NRM Chairman, and even if I am expelled, I remain a lecturer by profession and have my home in Tororo.”
Irene Mahirwe was announced third with 1,729 votes (2.1%), followed by Nirere Fancy Brendah with 1,593 votes (1.9%), Igiraneza Winfred Faith with 510 votes (0.6%), Irakunda Jemimah with 363 votes (0.4%), Kitentera Blessed with 248 votes (0.3%), and Mbonye Hellen with 111 votes (0.2%).
Meanwhile, Kabagenyi, who was declared the NRM flag bearer, declined to comment to the media as she was busy crying tears of joy. Kabagenyi Rose, born on August 4, 1974, previously served as the Woman MP for Kisoro District from 2016 to 2021, succeeding the late Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi. She completed her primary education at Gikoro Primary School in 1987 and earned her Uganda Certificate of Education (UCE) at Seseme Girls Secondary School in 1990.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture from Makerere University, a certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from the Uganda Management Institute, and a Master’s degree in Agriculture from Makerere University.
The nomination of candidates by the General Electoral Commission will take place on Wednesday, October 30, and Thursday, October 31, 2024, at the Office of the District Returning Officer in Kisoro. Successfully nominated candidates will conduct campaign meetings for twelve days, from Friday, November 1, to Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Polling and tallying of results for the by-election of councillors representing Special Interest Groups will occur on Monday, November 11, 2024, while polling for the District Woman Representative to Parliament and other Local Government Councillors will be held on Thursday, November 14, 2024.
