Joseph Kanyabugoyi, Kisoro district NRM General Secretary castigated top party leaders at the district level for deliberately declining to support the flag bearer.
National Resistance Movement (NRM) party leaders in
Kisoro district are divided over the support of the flag bearer in
the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament seat by-election.
Rose Kabagyeni from the National Resistance Movement
(NRM), independent candidate Grace Ngabirano Akifeza, Musanase Juliet from the
Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Najjanankumbi faction, Aisha Chimpaye of the
People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Sultana Salim Tana representing the National
Unity Platform (NUP) and Meble Ingabire from the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC)
party are vying for the by-election.
Akifeza who lost to Kabagyeni in the NRM primaries contested as an independent citing vote irregularities in the party primaries.
During nominations last week, Kabagyeni was accompanied by Ramadhan Ndikuyeze, the district party vice chairperson. Philemon Mateke, district party chairman
declined to show up to accompany Kabagyeni.
Ndikuyeze asserted that no
matter what, the party flag bearer shall win. He also said that those who
go with an independent candidate shall face the power of the NRM party.
//Cue in: “neija nshendekyeize candidate…
Cue out: …ya NRM.”//
However, Mateke offered space at his hotel (
Mubano Hotel in Kisoro town) to Akifeza to organize and start a
procession as she went for nomination. But, on Monday when the campaigns started none of the top party
district leaders accompanied Kagabyeni as she traversed Nyakabande sub-county.
Joseph Kanyabugoyi, Kisoro district NRM general secretary castigated top party leaders at the district level for deliberately declining to support the flag bearer.
He
says that such decisions go against party principles. He also accused Ndikuyeze of making a U-Turn and supporting Akifeza instead of Kabagyeni the NRM party
flag bearer.
//Cue in muri kisoro district…
Cue out: …ku margin.”//
Kanyabugoyi was backed by John Ninzeyimana Kamara,
Bufumbira North County Member of Parliament who also accused Eddie Kwizera
Wagahungu, Bukimbiri County Member of Parliament for failing to show up to
support Kagabyeni.
He said that Kwizera should appreciate the support he received in the 2022 by-election.
// Cue in: “My brother Kwizera…
Cue out: …is dangerous.”//
But, Kwizera also says that he would have won the Bukimbiri by-election with or
without Kanyabugoyi's support.
//Cue in: none si alikubivuga…
Cue out: ..the problem.”//
Mateke accused the NRM party Electoral Commission (EC) officials led by Chairman Tanga Odoi of aiding vote rigging to favour Kabagyeni.
Mateeke alleges that the party EC officials allowed Congolese refugees
at Nyakabande transit centre to vote Kabagyeni.
//Cue in: “they are independent …
Cue out: … and lineup.”//
Emmanuel Lumala Dombo, NRM party Director of
Information, Publicity and Spokesperson said that a team from the NRM headquarters will soon be dispatched to Kisoro over the matter.
//Cue in: “we conducted primary…
Cue out: ….ijana kwijana.”//
Campaigns that started on Monday will end on November 12, and voting will be held on November 14.
The seat fell vacant after the death of Sarah Mateke
Nyirabashitsi, who was also the State Minister for
Defense and Veteran Affairs, who died on September 7, 2024, due to a heart
attack.
