The by-election for the Woman Member of Parliament seat in Kisoro District is showing a strong lead for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Rose Kabagyeni.
This by-election, scheduled after the untimely death of Hon. Sarah Mateke, who previously held the position and served as the Minister of State for Defence, has attracted significant local and national attention.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is also the NRM’s National Chairman, visited Kisoro to drum up support for Kabagyeni, urging the community to elect a candidate who prioritizes development and unity. Addressing a large crowd in Bufumbira South, Museveni spoke about the NRM’s achievements in infrastructure and services, noting that the area now boasts paved roads and widespread electricity, improvements attributed to NRM-led government initiatives.
He encouraged Kisoro residents to vote for Kabagyeni, whom he described as a committed leader poised to continue the NRM’s development agenda in the region.
The President emphasized that Kisoro residents should strive for peaceful elections, underscoring the importance of selecting leaders committed to progress. Museveni also took the opportunity to address issues affecting public education, calling on the community to resist the charging of fees in government schools, which he said undermines the government’s free education policy.
He also urged locals to actively monitor government programs and report any irregularities to help improve service delivery. Programs such as the Parish Development Model (PDM) and Emyooga, he said, could play an instrumental role in lifting communities out of poverty if embraced fully by the residents.
As the results from polling stations started coming in, Kabagyeni emerged as the clear front-runner, securing a strong majority over her competitors. At Rugyeyo polling station, she garnered 207 votes, with the closest opponent receiving just 66. At Gachacha, Kabagyeni received 233 votes to her rival’s 91, while at Kinanira Primary School she led with 305 votes, against her nearest competitor’s 44.
The results so far indicate a landslide victory for the NRM candidate, pointing to overwhelming local support for Kabagyeni and the NRM’s platform. Kabagyeni’s competitors include independent candidate Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, Salim Sultana representing the National Unity Platform (NUP), Aisha Cyimpaye carrying the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) flag, Juliet Musanase from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and Mable Ingabire of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
NRM leaders, including Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, the Minister of ICT and NRM Vice Chairperson for Western Region, and NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong, have voiced optimism about Kabagyeni’s chances. The party’s campaign efforts in Kisoro’s sub-counties, they noted, have created a strong foundation for her success. As additional results continue to trickle in, the initial numbers suggest that Kabagyeni may secure the Kisoro Woman MP seat with a decisive lead.