The leadership of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has conveyed strong optimism regarding their chances of securing the Kisoro district Woman Member of Parliament position in the forthcoming by-election scheduled for November, amidst internal disputes.
Party officials made this statement while accompanying Rose Kabagyeni, the NRM candidate, during her campaign activities in Chahafi town council, as well as in the Murora and Kanaba sub-counties.
Jacqueline Kyatuhaire, the NRM’s Deputy National Treasurer, dismissed concerns about internal disputes among certain party factions, emphasizing that the ruling party has proven its resilience over time and is not susceptible to intimidation or negative impacts from such issues.
“The NRM is bigger than everybody. That is why it has prevailed over any form of contradiction among some leaders and has not dissuaded us from the core objective of winning elections,” Kyatuhaire revealed.
Having enjoyed massive support in the Kisoro district over the years, Kyatuhaire said, “We shall build on the existing firm base by explaining the livelihood programmes of the government aimed at improving the welfare of the people.”
“Our supporters are firm and cannot be diverted by the interests of selfish leaders. No one is bigger than the NRM or bigger than the people of Kisoro. They made their decision in primary elections, and it should be respected,” she added.
The candidate Kabagyeni, the NRM candidate, said she is ready to represent the people well by lobbying for better services in health care, education, and roads, among others, if she is sent to parliament in the remaining period before the 2026 general elections.
“I have been to parliament, and I understand how things are conducted in the house. I urge you to trust me with your votes and I deliver on the projects that were left undone by the late Hon. Sarah Mateke,” Kabagyeni said.
She called upon the voters to overwhelmingly elect her in next week’s polls.
“Make sure you first vote before you go to your gardens and businesses. Your voice is crucial in choosing the right person for the right job, she said.
She discouraged the voters from choosing a leader based on divisive politics of tribes and religion, saying it is very dangerous and goes against the core values and principles of the NRM.
We are Ugandans who share similar challenges, and so choosing leaders based on tribes and religion is backward and retards progress and community development.
Reunite
This week, reports emerged indicating significant rifts within the NRM leadership in Kisoro. The tensions stemmed from claims of misconduct during the party primaries, where Kabagyenyi was announced as the winner despite objections from several NRM officials and members.
Dr. Philemon Mateke, the district party chairperson, voiced his discontent with the results, asserting that the party lacked a legitimate candidate.
He alleged that the entire process was compromised by interference from the national party electoral commission.
Mateke specifically criticized Dr. Tanga Odoi, the commission’s head, accusing him of showing favoritism towards Kabagyenyi over Grace Ngabirano Akifeza.
In an effort to resolve the discord, a delegation from the NRM Secretariat, led by Deputy Party Treasurer Jacquiline Kyatuhaire, visited Dr. Mateke at his residence to discuss the situation.
The team included Rogers Mulindwa, Senior Manager for Communications, Samuel Eyenga, Senior Manager for Mobilization, and other NRM Secretariat staff.
They also extended their condolences to Dr. Mateke’s family and paid tribute with a wreath at the grave of the late State Minister for Defence and district women MP, Sarah Mateke, who was Dr. Mateke’s daughter.
Kisoro is set to elect a new woman MP on November 14, 2024, following Sarah Mateke’s passing.
A total of six candidates are competing for the position. Among them are Rose Kabagyeni representing the NRM, Aisha Chimpaye from the People’s Progressive Party, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano running as an independent, Sultana Salim Tana of the National Unity Platform, and Marble Ingabire from the Uganda People’s Congress.
