Kisoro, (UG):- Former Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament Ms Rose Kabagyeni is the ruling NRM party flag bearer for the forthcoming by-election organized to fill the void left by late District Woman Legislator Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke.
Kabagyenyi, who represented Kisoro District in 2016-2021 emerged as the winner after she defeated seven other competitors in the NRM party primaries held on Friday, October 25, 2024. Since 2022, she has been serving as the Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture.
With 39,941 votes (47.7 per cent), Kabagyenyi was declared winner of the heated primaries by NRM party electoral commission chairperson Dr Tanga Odoi with her closest rival, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano coming in second with 39,197 votes.
Other candidates included Irene Mahirwe (1,729 votes), Fancy Brenda Nirere (1,593 votes), Winfred Faith Igiraneza (510 votes), Jemimah Irankunda (363 votes), Blessed Kitentera (248 votes), and Mbonye Hellen (111 votes).
Dr Odoi advised Kabagyeni to prioritise Kisoro’s interests and unite with fellow contenders. He expressed concerns about Kisoro’s high rate of alcoholism and the involvement of religious leaders in politics.
“The winner should think about Kisoro first. The winner should look for a way of calling the other candidates, sit together and talk about Kisoro.”
Ms Grace Akifeza Ngabirano contested the results, citing irregularities and harassment of polling agents. “I am not accepting the results because there were lots of irregularities. My polling agents were really harassed in some places, some,” she noted.
ALSO READ: EC sets polling date for Kisoro district woman MP by-election
By press time, it was not yet clear if Ms Akifeza Ngabirano had decided to battle Kabagyeni again as an independent candidate in the Woman MP by-elections set for November 14, 2024.
The Kisoro District Woman MP seat became vacant following the death of the former Representative (MP), the Hon. Nyirabasitsi Sarah Mateke, which occurred on September 7, 2024.
Do you have a story or an opinion to share? Email us on: [email protected] Or join the Daily Express WhatsApp channel for all the latest news and trends or join the Telegram Channel for the latest updates.
