NUP CANDIDATE AMONG SIX NOMINATED IN KISORO WOMAN MP RACE

BY AMBROSE KWERONDA

IN KISORO—————-

www.mknewslink.com

Six candidates have been nominated to compete in the by-election for the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament seat.

The two-day nomination exercise began on Wednesday and concluded on Thursday at the Kisoro District Council Hall. The process was overseen by the Kisoro Electoral Commission’s returning officer, Daniel Nayebare, with Anthony Okello, an Electoral Commission commissioner, and Robert Beine, the Southwestern Uganda Electoral Commission supervisor, in attendance.

On the first day, two candidates—Rose Kabageni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and Juliet Musanasa of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)—were nominated. On Thursday, four additional candidates were nominated: Aisha Cyimpaye of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Grace Akifeza Ngabirano as an independent, Zubeda Sultana Tana Salim of the National Unity Platform (NUP), and Mable Ngabire of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).

Aisha Cyimpaye of PPP expressed determination to win, despite Kisoro’s historical support for NRM, arguing that after 40 years of NRM governance, the district still lags in development.

Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, an independent candidate, braved heavy rain with her supporters and was nominated at 12:10 p.m. by Nayebare. Ngabirano explained her decision to run independently, citing issues with the NRM primaries. She stated, “I have not left the party. I am not scared; I’m ready to fight to reclaim the victory of the people of Kisoro and to work with NRM and President Museveni.” She urged voters to support candidates based on their capacity to represent Kisoro effectively, rather than on religion, tribe, or party affiliation. Ngabirano also called on President Museveni to address alleged intimidation by some security officials.

Zubeda Sultana Tana Salim of NUP, accompanied by NUP Secretary-General Lewis Rubongoya and Mityana Municipality MP Francis Zaake, urged Kisoro voters to choose change. “For years, we have voted NRM, but our district remains underdeveloped, even with tourism opportunities. The roads are poor, and corruption is rampant,” Tana said, promising to address these issues if elected. Following her nomination, Tana and NUP President Robert Kyagulanyi led a procession through Kisoro town to the Mayor’s Gardens, where Kyagulanyi addressed supporters, encouraging them to embrace change. “I thank the people of Kisoro for the warm welcome,” Kyagulanyi said. “You’ve supported NRM for years, but gained little. It’s time for change.”

Daniel Nayebare, the Kisoro District returning officer, announced that campaigns will commence on November 1, 2024, once candidates submit their campaign schedules for harmonization. A meeting for this purpose is scheduled for Saturday.

The Kisoro District Woman MP seat became vacant following the passing of MP and State Minister of Defense, Sarah Nyirabashitsi Mateke, who succumbed to a heart attack on September 7, 2024, at Mengo Hospital.

The by-election is scheduled for November 14, 2024.