STAFF REPORTER
In Kisoro District, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is embroiled in internal disputes over the flag bearer position for the upcoming Woman Member of Parliament by-election, with party officials divided on candidate support.
NRM District Chairman Dr. Philemon Mateke voiced dissatisfaction with the NRM Electoral Commission, led by Dr. Tanga Odoi, accusing it of pushing for personal candidate preferences rather than respecting the district’s choice. Mateke alleged irregularities in the recent primaries, citing incidents of vote rigging, unauthorized voting by refugees at Nyakabande Transit Camp, and undue pressure on patients at polling stations to cast ballots. This, he argued, has made it difficult to establish a clear party flag bearer.
Despite Mateke’s concerns, the NRM Electoral Commission declared Hon. Rose Kabagyeni as the official candidate, a position affirmed by the NRM’s Director of Information and Publicity, Emmanuel Lumala Dombo. Dombo encouraged party leaders to support Kabagyeni in the November 14 by-election, suggesting any grievances be addressed after the election. He also announced plans for the NRM secretariat to visit Kisoro to strengthen unity within local leadership.
However, Kisoro District NRM Vice Chairperson Ramadan Ndikuyeze, who initially backed Kabagyeni, confirmed that the district’s NRM leadership has petitioned the party’s secretariat to mediate between Kabagyeni and her rival, Grace Ngabirano Akifeza. Ndikuyeze urged party leaders, starting at the village level, to unify and back the flag bearer.
Adding to the discord, District NRM General Secretary Joseph Kanyabugoyi accused Ndikuyeze and Bukimbiri County MP Eddie Kwizera Wa Gahungu of withholding support for Kabagyeni. He suggested that their opposition has undermined party cohesion during the campaign period.
Kwizera defended his stance, stating that supporting the flag bearer does not obligate him to campaign actively and emphasizing that voter choice should remain independent. Responding to Kanyabugoyi’s reminder of NRM’s past support for his successful bid in the 2022 by-election, Kwizera asserted that he would have won with or without that backing.
Kabagyeni, who serves as a Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture, narrowly secured the NRM primary win with 39,941 votes against Ngabirano’s 39,197, intensifying competition ahead of the by-election.
