Six candidates have been nominated to contest for the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament by-election.
The two-day nomination exercise began on Wednesday and concluded on Thursday at the district council hall, presided over by Kisoro Electoral Commission Returning Officer Daniel Nayebare, and witnessed by Anthony Okello, a commissioner of the Electoral Commission, and Beine Robert, the Southwestern Uganda Electoral Commission supervisor.
On the first day, two candidates were nominated: Rose Kabageni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Juliet Musanasa of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). On Thursday, four more candidates were nominated: Aisha Cyimpaye of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, an independent candidate, Zubeda Sultana Tana Salim of the National Unity Platform (NUP), and Mable Ngabire of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
Aisha Cyimpaye of the PPP expressed her determination to win the seat, despite Kisoro being predominantly NRM. She noted that although the NRM has been in power for 40 years and has received overwhelming support from Kisoro residents, the district has lagged behind in development.
Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, the independent candidate, arrived at the district council hall amidst heavy rainfall. Despite the downpour, she and her supporters managed to brave the conditions.
After being nominated at 12:10 PM by Returning Officer Daniel Nayebare, Ngabirano explained that she chose to run as an independent after her party failed to address her concerns and after feeling cheated in the NRM primaries. She clarified that her independent run is not a defiance of the NRM.
“I have not left the party; I am not scared. I am ready to fight to ensure that the victory of the people of Kisoro is reclaimed. I am ready to work with the NRM and President Museveni,” Ngabirano stated.
She emphasized the need for voters to choose candidates based on their ability to represent them well, rather than on religion, tribe, or political affiliation. She also called on President Museveni to rein in some errant security officials who may intimidate her supporters or seek to undermine her victory, as was the case in the NRM primaries.
Zubeda Sultana Tana Salim of the NUP, who was accompanied by Lewis Rubongoya, the party Secretary General, and Francis Zaake, the Mityana Municipality Member of Parliament, also expressed her views after being nominated. Tana argued that it is time for the people of Kisoro to demand change, noting that despite their years of voting for the NRM, the district has seen little development.
She pointed out that while Kisoro has tourist attractions, the infrastructure, particularly roads, is in poor condition, and corruption is rampant. “We have been voting for the NRM for years, but now it’s time to change. Support me if you want to fight the corruption that is so prevalent in our district,” Tana said.
Following her nomination, Tana was joined by NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi Sentamu for a procession through Kisoro town to the mayor’s gardens, where they addressed party supporters despite the heavy rain. Kyagulanyi echoed Tana’s call for change, praising the warm welcome he received, which he noted has not always been the case. “I would like to thank the people of Kisoro for the warm welcome.
I urge the people of Kisoro to support Tana and give her your votes. All these years supporting the NRM, what have you gained? Poverty is so high,” Kyagulanyi stated.
Daniel Nayebare, the Kisoro District Returning Officer, announced that campaigning will commence on November 1, 2024, but candidates must first submit their campaign programs to the Electoral Commission for harmonization. A candidates’ meeting is scheduled for Saturday this week.
The Kisoro District Woman MP seat became vacant following the death of Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, the former Kisoro Woman MP and State Minister of Defense, on September 7, 2024, due to a heart attack at Mengo Hospital. The elections are set for November 14, 2024.
