Kisoro District LCV Chairperson Abel Bizimana has picked nomination forms to contest as an independent candidate for Bufumbira East Constituency in the 2026 general elections. He will run under his newly launched pressure group, the Patriotic Sanitizer Movement (PSM).
Bizimana, a veteran in Kisoro politics for over a decade, suffered a surprising defeat in the recent NRM party primaries, securing only 588 votes out of 31,697 cast.
The primaries were won by Roland Kanaya Nkurumah with 12,756 votes, while the incumbent Dr. James Nsababuturo also polled 12,756 votes, tying for the lead. Tumwizere Christopher garnered 1,384 votes, and Dr. Adrian Niyimpa Dungu received 243 votes.
Following his loss, Bizimana publicly accused the NRM of vote commercialization, intimidation, and voter harassment via his official account on X (formerly Twitter).
He has since distanced himself from the ruling party, unveiling PSM, which he describes as a movement aimed at “cleansing the disorganized NRM.” The group has adopted a microphone as its election symbol.
On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 12:00 PM, Bizimana picked his nomination forms from the Kisoro District Electoral Commission offices, accompanied by his political assistant and a group of supporters.
Speaking to the media, he said the formation of PSM should not be seen as rebellion but rather as an opportunity for internal reform. “This pressure group will be a blessing in disguise for NRM leaders, as it will expose and help correct the irregularities within the party,” Bizimana stated.
He expressed confidence in the Electoral Commission, stating that the 2026 general elections would be free and fair, especially due to the use of secret ballots, which he believes will limit vote buying compared to the NRM primaries. He listed urbanization and improved service delivery as his top priorities for Bufumbira East Constituency.
Meanwhile, Nambajimana Alex, the Kisoro District Vice Chairperson and NRM flag bearer for Kisoro Municipality, also picked his nomination forms on Monday, September 1, 2025, to contest in the upcoming elections. Nambajimana, who also serves as Mayor of Kisoro Municipality, urged the public to support his bid, citing his long-standing political experience.
He pledged to focus on infrastructure development, especially as Kisoro works toward attaining city status.
Kisoro District Returning Officer Daniel Nayebare encouraged all aspiring candidates to pick up nomination forms early to allow ample time for verification and ensure smooth nominations. He reaffirmed the Electoral Commission’s commitment to conducting free and fair elections.
