As October 25, 2024 approaches, a competitive race is underway among 13 aspirants from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) vying for the party’s nomination to fill the vacancy left by the late Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, in the upcoming by-election in Kisoro.
The NRM faces stiff competition from the National Unity Platform and the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC), both of which are also keen on securing the seat.
All NRM candidates have until October 23, 2024, to rally support through joint campaigns from party members in their bid for the primaries.
The campaigns kicked on October 7, 2024, at the Shaza playground in Kisoro Municipality:
Interestingly, unlike previous elections in other areas where family members of former officials often sought these positions, no relatives of the late minister have expressed interest this time, creating a level playing field for all contenders.
Dr. Tanga Odoi, the head of the NRM Electoral Commission, has issued a stern warning to candidates against employing divisive strategies rooted in religion or ethnicity, stating that any candidate found engaging in such behaviour would face disqualification.
Nyirabashitsi, who was State Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs, and Kisoro district women MP was laid to rest at her family home in Bugahe Village, located in Nyakabingo Parish, Chahi Sub County, Kisoro District. She passed away at Mengo Hospital in Kampala after suffering a heart attack, where she had been taken for treatment.
She died at the age of 50.
