STAFF REPORTER
Grace Ngabirano Akifeza, an independent candidate leaning toward the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has been declared the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament after a highly contested by-election. The announcement was made by Kisoro District Returning Officer Daniel Nayebare at 1:44 a.m. on Friday in Rukiiko Hall, Kisoro District.
Akifeza, who had narrowly lost to Rose Kabagyeni in the NRM primaries, decided to run as an independent following allegations of vote rigging during the primaries. In the by-election, Akifeza secured 50,459 votes, defeating her closest rival Kabagyeni, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture, who received 44,982 votes from 322 polling stations. Other candidates in the race included Salim Sultana of the National Unity Platform (NUP) with 903 votes, Aisha Cyimpaye of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) with 157 votes, Juliet Musanase of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) with 193 votes, and Mable Ingabire of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) with 362 votes. Nayebare reported a total of 97,056 valid votes cast, 1,061 invalid votes, and 249 spoiled votes out of 98,117 ballot papers counted.
Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, congratulated Akifeza and urged her to focus on healing divisions within the Kisoro community caused by the tense electoral process. He also called on security agencies to investigate claims of ballot stuffing at Busanani polling station, allegedly involving Bufumbira North MP John Kamara Nizeyimana, to curb future electoral malpractice.
Addressing the press, Hon. Akifeza expressed her gratitude for the victory, attributing her success to divine intervention. She noted that her win restored what she believed was her rightful victory, lost during the NRM primaries.
Dr. Tanga Odoi, Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, emphasized that Akifeza’s win still benefited the NRM, as opposition parties only secured around two percent of the vote. He added that the by-election served as an opportunity for the NRM to evaluate the opposition’s strength ahead of the 2026 general elections. Dr. Odoi also raised concerns over religious sectarianism observed in the primaries and urged community and religious leaders to take a stand against it.
