Grace Akifeza was declared winner

Grace Akifeza Ngabirano wins Kisoro Woman MP by-election

by · The Observer

Independent NRM-leaning candidate Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, has won the Kisoro District Woman MP by-election.

Akifeza was declared the winner by Kisoro district returning officer Daniel Nayebare after receiving 50,459 votes, defeating the official NRM candidate Rose Kabagyeni, who garnered 44,982 votes.

Other candidates trailed significantly: Sultana Salim Tana of the National Unity Platform (NUP) received 903 votes, Meble Ingabire of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) got 362 votes, Juliet Musanase of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Najjanankumbi faction secured 193 votes, and Aisha Chimpaye of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) trailed with 157 votes.

Initially, Akifeza lost to Kabagyeni in the NRM primaries but, contesting the results, she chose to run as an independent candidate. During the campaign, Kabagyeni was accompanied by prominent NRM figures such as Henry Ariganyira Musasizi, the state minister of Finance and MP for Rubanda County East, and Dr Chris Baryomunsi, Kinkiizi East County MP and the minister of Information and National Guidance, who campaigned against Akifeza.

Philemon Mateke, the NRM Kisoro District chairman and father of the late Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, whom Akifeza is set to replace, declined to support Kabagyeni, alleging irregularities in the primary election. Mateke was seen in Akifeza's camp, while Kabagyeni and other candidates did not attend the tallying process at the centre.

Voters casting their ballots

Ramadhan Ndikuyeze, head of Kabagyeni's general election campaign team, and Dr Tanga Odoi, the NRM party electoral commission chairman, were notably seated next to Akifeza at the tally centre. Following her victory announcement, Akifeza expressed her gratitude to her supporters and promised to reconcile voters and advocate for district development.

"I’m extremely excited. I didn’t imagine this would happen, but God has brought back my victory and that of the people of Kisoro," she said.

Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, the Electoral Commission chairperson, noted that the election process was largely peaceful, apart from an incident at the Busanani polling station in Busanza sub-county. There, John Ninzeyimana Kamara allegedly disrupted voting, seizing ballot books and marking them in Kabagyeni's favour. Byabakama called on the police to investigate to prevent further issues.

Later, Odoi remarked that despite Akifeza running as an independent, her win still benefits the ruling party due to her NRM-leaning stance. He added that the NRM would now focus on preparing for the 2026 general elections, emphasizing that the electoral process should not be a "do-or-die" situation.

The campaign period was marked by religious tensions between Catholics and Protestants, prompting President Yoweri Museveni to release a statement condemning the divisive behaviour. This by-election follows the passing of Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, former state minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs, on September 7.

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