STAFF REPORTER
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has issued a stern warning to party leaders in Kisoro District who are opposing Rose Kabagyeni, the NRM’s official candidate in the upcoming Woman Member of Parliament by-election.
Rogers Mulindwa, the NRM spokesperson, announced that the party may withdraw vehicles allocated to leaders found using party resources to support rival candidates. This statement comes amid mounting tension following Kabagyeni’s controversial victory in the NRM primaries held on October 25, 2024.
Kabagyeni narrowly won the flagbearer position with 39,941 votes, edging out Grace Ngabirano Akifeza, who secured 39,197 votes. Other contenders, Irene Muhirwe and Fancy Brenda Nirere, received 1,729 and 1,593 votes, respectively. Despite Kabagyeni’s win, allegations of irregularities have fueled discontent among some NRM members in Kisoro.
Mulindwa raised concerns about reports of NRM leaders using party-issued vehicles to support non-NRM candidates. He emphasized that this misuse of resources, including motorcycles distributed by President Yoweri Museveni in 2020 to boost grassroots mobilization, violates party regulations. “Using party resources to back opposition candidates will be considered a serious breach of NRM guidelines,” Mulindwa warned.
As the campaign season heats up, candidates are making pledges to address pressing issues in Kisoro District. Grace Ngabirano Akifeza, now running as an independent, has gained momentum by promising solutions to local challenges. Meanwhile, Kabagyeni has urged NRM members to rally together, emphasizing the need for a united front to secure victory.
The by-election, set for November 14, 2024, features a competitive lineup, including Salim Sultana of the National Unity Platform (NUP), Aisha Cyimpaye from the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Juliet Musanase of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and Mable Ingabire of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
This race was triggered by the passing of former Kisoro Woman MP and State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, who died in early September.
