President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni is expected to visit Kisoro District next Tuesday to rally support for the NRM flag bearer, Rose Kabagyeni, in the District Woman Member of Parliament by-election.
This development was disclosed by the Minister of Information, Communication Technology, and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, during a press briefing in Kisoro District. Dr. Baryomunsi, who also serves as the Vice Chairman of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party, stated that President Museveni’s visit is intended to promote the party’s ideology and urge supporters to back Kabagyeni.
Minister Baryomunsi, without revealing specific locations, mentioned that President Museveni is expected to address residents at two separate rallies in Kisoro.
This visit comes amidst internal rifts within the NRM in Kisoro District, as the District NRM Party Chairman, Dr. Philemon Mateke, has openly refused to support Kabagyeni. Instead, Mateke campaigned for an independent candidate, Grace Ngabirano Akifeza, in Murora and Chahafi town councils yesterday, urging voters to support Ngabirano as the best replacement for his late daughter, Sarah Mateke.
Mateke acknowledged that while the NRM has been victorious in past elections, he claims there was widespread rigging in the by-election primary, calling on NRM leaders to be transparent and honest to strengthen the party.
However, Bufumbira North County Member of Parliament, Kamara John Nizeyimana, who also chairs the Kisoro District Leaders Forum, expressed deep frustration with the ongoing divisions in the district. Kamara recalled his efforts to support Ruth Nyiraneza Mateke, who had been suggested as a replacement for the late Sarah Mateke.
Kamara lamented that he was disappointed when Nyiraneza returned to America without informing him, which he says has been a root cause of disunity among voters in Kisoro. He attributed the current divisions to Mateke’s influence and called on him and his followers to back the party’s candidate to restore cohesion.
