Museveni explained that he had also spoken to Mateke on the phone twice after hearing claims of vote rigging in the party primaries. Museveni also says that he received a complaint about how Mateke was abused.
President
Yoweri Museveni has promised to investigate vote rigging claims in the recently
concluded National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries for the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament.
Rose
Kabagyeni was declared the flag bearer by the NRM electoral commission, Tang Odoi
after garnering 3,9941 votes. Kabegyeni’s closest contender Grace Ngabirano
Akifeza got 39197 votes. Irene Mahirwe got 1729, Brenda Fancy Nirere 1593,
Faith Winfred Igiraneza 510, Jemimah Irankunda 363, Blessed Kitentera 248,
while Hellen Mbonye trailed with 111 votes.
However,
Akifeza disputed the results and contested as an independent candidate citing vote rigging in favor of Kabagyeni. She also cited harassment of her
polling agents by Kabagyeni’s supporters.
The feud escalated when Philemon Mateke, District NRM party Chairman
declined to support Kabagyeni and joined Akifeza's camp. Mateke accused
Odoi of imposing Kabagyeni on the people of Kisoro. He also alleged that Congolese
refugees also voted in favour of Kabagyeni in Nyakabande Sub County. Mateke also decried religious influence in
the election.
Mateke’s actions forced the NRM leadership to appoint Mateke’s vice chairman, Ramadhan Ndikuyeze
to head Kabagyeni’s campaign team.
During
the final campaign on Tuesday at Muramba primary school playground in Muramba
sub-county, Ndikuyeze condemned Mateke for supporting
Akifeza.
Ndikuyeze was however booed by a section of party supporters who were at the rally as they
chanted Akifeza’s name and raised her posters. The State Minister for Trade, David Bahati and Parliamentary Commissioner,
Prossy Mbabazi Akampurira intervened to no avail.
While
speaking, Museveni explained that he had also talked to Mateke on the phone twice
after hearing claims of vote rigging in the party primaries. Museveni also says that he received a
complaint about how Mateke was abused.
Museveni says that a probe into the
matter will be probed and Mateke will be a witness. He adds that whoever is found guilty of the
accusations will be handled according to the law, like making the NRM party
flag bearer lose the seat and serving a sentence.
Museveni however says that
the dissatisfaction that came after NRM party primaries shouldn’t be the reason
for the people of Kisoro to denounce the party.
//Cue
in: bangizire ngu kabagyeni…
Cue
out: …babeye bamutukana.”//
Museveni also held a rally at Saza grounds in Kisoro
municipality and handed the party flag to Kabagyeni.
