A group of woman Member of Parliament aspirants in Kisoro District has expressed dissatisfaction with the influence of religion in the ongoing National Resistance Movement (NRM) joint campaigns.
This concern was voiced during NRM joint campaigns held in Kigeyo Village, Kigeyo Ward, Nyanamo Town Council, and Nyarutembe Village, Kagunga Parish, Bukimbiri Subcounty.
Aspirants Hellen Mbonye and Mahirwe Irene revealed that various religious leaders are directly engaging in politics by providing financial assistance to some candidates and bribing voters.
They highlighted that churches and other places of worship have become campaigning grounds, leading to discrimination, tribalism, and bribery in the by-elections.
In a call to action, Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, another woman MP aspirant, urged voters to choose capable and active leaders committed to serving their communities.
She remarked, “Religious politics leads to manipulation by exploiting religious sentiments to win votes, resulting in underdevelopment, discrimination, and racism. I am in politics with the support of all religions, cultures, and tribes.”
Akifeza emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation among different tribes and religions to foster development in Kisoro District.
Fellow aspirant Kabagenyi Rose also condemned the religious influence in Kisoro politics, warning that it could hinder the district’s development.
She urged voters to focus on leaders dedicated to community service, stating, “Religion in politics creates division, leading to tensions between different religious groups and discrimination against minorities.”
These aspirants collectively advocate for a political landscape free from religious manipulation and focused on genuine service to the community.
