Summary:
- According to Kisoro District NRM Election Officer, Tadeo Mujyambere, the party had agreed with the contestants to avoid holding campaign rallies beyond 5:00 PM, not to use sound systems, and to limit the number of vehicles at rally venues to two.
KISORO: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer contestants for the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament by-election have defied joint campaign guidelines set by the party.
According to Kisoro District NRM Election Officer, Tadeo Mujyambere, the party had agreed with the contestants to avoid holding campaign rallies beyond 5:00 PM, not to use sound systems, and to limit the number of vehicles at rally venues to two.
However, during the first joint campaign rally day at Busanza Secondary School playground on Tuesday, contestants Rose Kabagyeni, Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, and Dushime Sylvia Agaba disregarded the guidelines. They used public address systems and arrived at the rally with more than two vehicles. While addressing the contestants, Mujyambere specifically warned Dushime Sylvia Agaba for driving vehicles into the playground with excessive noise from her supporters.
As the campaign moved to Gatete playground later that afternoon, both Akifeza Grace Ngabirano and Dushime Sylvia Agaba continued to breach the guidelines by extending the rally to the Bunagana border, where they addressed supporters. Though the rally concluded at 4:50 PM, Akifeza and Dushime were later seen campaigning in Kisoro town around 6:00 PM, which was also against the set rules.
The contestants were again seen breaching the guidelines on Thursday during their second joint campaign day at Saaza ground in Kisoro Municipality. Nearly nine contestants were observed mobilizing supporters using public address systems in Kisoro town that morning.
During a rally at Saaza ground, before the commencement of joint campaigns, Mujyambere condemned the ongoing violations and ordered all supporters to remove campaign T-shirts and posters, reminding them that the guidelines prohibit such materials at rally grounds. Some supporters resisted the order, prompting Mujyambere to request police intervention.
He warned that failure to adhere to the guidelines could incite chaos and clashes among supporters, urging contestants to guide their supporters to ensure peaceful joint rallies.
CUE IN MAJYAMBERE…….ON THE GUIDELINES…..RR/ENG//
The contestants in the by-election include Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, Sylvia Dushime, Igiraneze Winfred Faith, Jemimah Irankunda, Rose Kabagyeni, Blessed Kitentera, Irene Mahirwe, Hellen Mbonye, Nirere Fancy Brenda, Niyikiza Louise, Allen Nkurikiye, Aphia Nyiramahoro, and Eva Twireze.
According to the joint campaign schedule, the contestants will hold their fifth rally at Chahi Sub-county headquarters tomorrow. The campaign is set to conclude on October 23, 2024, with final rallies in Nyabwishenya and Kirundo Sub-counties.
