A group of National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in Kisoro Municipality have called on the NRM Secretariat to reclaim the bicycles and vehicles that were distributed to them, stating they are no longer willing to support the NRM flag bearer in the ongoing by-elections.
This appeal was made during a campaign event held by Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, an independent candidate, in Kisoro Municipality and Nyakinama Sub-county.
The LC2 chairperson of Kamonyi Ward, Northern Division, and NRM Publicity Secretary for Kisoro Municipality, Ndabagyize Christopher, announced that they are ready to return the bicycles to the NRM Secretariat. He accused the party of violating the voting rights of the people.
“I know I have the NRM bicycle, but I am ready to hand it over to the NRM Secretariat because it is my constitutional right to support any candidate I choose,” Christopher said. “The NRM Secretariat is violating our rights. I ask the acting NRM Chairperson, Ndikuyeze Ramanthan, to come and pick up your bicycle.”
Ndikuyikiye Emmanuel, the LC2 NRM chairperson of Nyagashinje Ward, Northern Division, Kisoro Municipality, also condemned the NRM Secretariat, accusing them of intimidating, threatening, and manipulating voters in the ongoing by-elections. He warned that such actions could strengthen opposition support in Kisoro District in the 2026-2031 elections.
“Don’t mix election issues with the distribution of NRM bicycles. The bicycles were not given to us during the election period. I am ready to support my independent candidate, Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, because the NRM rigged our votes,” Emmanuel said. “In 2026, opposition support in Kisoro will be stronger because the NRM is violating our rights.”
Meanwhile, during the same gathering, Akifeza Grace Ngabirano expressed her gratitude to her supporters who voted for her in the recent NRM primaries, despite the election being marred by irregularities.
“I want to thank you all for voting for me, even though I was not declared the winner,” Akifeza said. “On Thursday, make sure to turn out in large numbers to vote, as a way of exercising your constitutional rights. Bring base drums, whistles, and vuvuzelas to make noise in case any wrongdoers try to repeat what happened in the primaries.”
