Tension and disbelief filled the Kisoro District Council Hall on October 22, 2025, after a parliamentary aspirant attempted to secure nomination without paying the required fee of Shs 3,000,000.
The incident occurred on the first day of the two-day nomination exercise conducted by the Electoral Commission, scheduled to run from October 22 to 23, 2025.
According to Daniel Nayebare, the Kisoro District Returning Officer, the aspirant arrived with all the necessary documents but failed to pay the nomination fee. Instead, the individual requested to be nominated on the promise of paying the fee the following day.
Out of respect for privacy, Nayebare declined to disclose the aspirant’s identity but confirmed the matter was unprecedented in his experience.
“I was shocked,” Nayebare said. “The aspirant had all the requirements in place except the nomination fee, which he claimed would be paid later.”
Nayebare condemned the act, attributing it to poor organization and late preparation by the aspirant, which he said was affecting the smooth running of the nomination process.
The incident sparked drama and confusion among council members and electoral officials, raising concerns about procedural enforcement and the financial readiness of candidates.
The Kisoro District Police Commander, Ben Niwamanya Kashumbusha, confirmed that the nomination exercise would be conducted peacefully, citing heavy police deployment across the district.
Kashumbusha stated that all candidates would be escorted by security personnel from the nomination venue to their homes to ensure maximum peace and order throughout the process.
Meanwhile, a total of 13 candidates vying for Member of Parliament seats in different constituencies in Kisoro were duly nominated today.
The nominated candidates include: Turyagyenda Asgario (NRM) and Eddie Kwizera Wa Gahungu (Independent) for Bukimbiri County; Dr. Leo Mfitimana (Independent), Sam Byibesho (NRM), and Derrick Ndayishimye (NUP) for Kisoro Municipality; Ngirabakunzi Daniel (DP) and Nizeyimana John Kamara (Independent) for Bufumbira North; Abel Bizimana and Tumwizere Christopher (both Independents) for Bufumbira East; Hellen Mbonye (NUP) for District Woman MP; and Sam K. Bitangaro (Independent), Eng. Alex Niyonsaba Seruganda (NRM), and Munyambazi Adam (ANT) for Bufumbira South.
