President Yoweri Museveni, the Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has summoned the 13 candidates vying for the party’s flagbearer position in the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament by-election to a meeting.
The summoned contestants include Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, Sylvia Dushime, Igiraneze Winfred Faith, Jemimah Irankunda, Rose Kabagyeni, Blessed Kitentera, Irene Mahirwe, Hellen Mbonye, Nirere Fancy Brenda, Niyikiza Louise, Allen Nkurikiye, Aphia Nyiramahoro, and Eva Twireze.
The by-election follows the death of State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Sarah Mateke, last month.
John Kigyagi Arimpa, the Deputy Chairperson of the NRM Electoral Commission, confirmed that the joint campaigns have been temporarily paused as the contestants are expected to travel to Kampala ahead of their meeting with President Museveni on Sunday.
“The 13 candidates are all from NRM and they need to be given guidance on how they can campaign without causing divisions in terms of ethnicity, religion, and other sectarian tendencies. The party chairperson will guide them on how to campaign amicably without causing any stress.”
Meanwhile, Taddeo Mujyambere, the NRM District Election Officer for Kisoro, issued a stern warning to candidates about adhering to the party’s electoral rules. He highlighted that since the campaigns started on Tuesday, some candidates have been disregarding regulations regarding processions, campaigning beyond the allowed hours, using private-public address systems, and exceeding the permitted number of vehicles in their convoys.
The winner from NRM primaries shall be meeting flag-bearers, independent People’s Front for Freedom (PFF) leaning Christine Mbabazi, and the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, Salim Tana Mukankwaya.
Ruth Nyiraneza Mateke, the sister to the late Minister Sarah Mateke, who was fronted by the district council to replace the fallen legislator, later pulled out of the race for unknown reasons.
The passing of Nyirabashitsi created a political vacuum that several Bafumbira, Batwa, and opinion leaders are keen to address with sensitivity and respect due to the fact that Sarah had portrayed a calm, resilient, and humble character in conducting both home and parliamentary affairs.
The Electoral Commission chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, released the program for the by-elections of the District Woman Representative to Parliament for Kisoro District and Councillors on various Local Government Councils in the district a fortnight ago.
The nomination of candidates will be conducted on Wednesday 30th and Thursday 31st of October 2024 at the Office of the District Returning Officer, Kisoro, and the successfully nominated candidates will conduct campaign meetings for twelve (12) days, that is, from Friday 1st November till Tuesday 12th November 2024.
Polling and tallying of results for the by-election of councillors representing special interest groups will take place on Monday, 11th November 2024, while the polling day for the District Woman Representative to Parliament and other local government councillors will be conducted on Thursday, 14th November 2024, he added.
