Summary:
- The Minister of Information, Communication Technology, and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, described Mateke’s refusal to back the flag bearer as an act of indiscipline that warrants disciplinary action.
KISORO: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretariat has distanced itself from Dr. Philemon Mateke, the NRM Chairperson for Kisoro District, over his stance in the Kisoro Woman Member of Parliament by-election.
This development comes after Mateke declared that Kisoro District lacks an official NRM flag bearer in the by-election, stating that Rose Kabageyni, the current NRM candidate, was imposed on the district and is not the people’s choice. Mateke expressed disappointment with the NRM Electoral Commission, blaming it for causing turmoil in the district.
He alleged that the primaries were riddled with irregularities, including vote rigging, and claimed that refugees at Nyakabande Transit Camp were allowed to vote despite not being registered with the NRM, alongside reports of patients at polling stations being compelled to cast ballots.
While addressing the media at Kisoro District Headquarters, Hon. Rosemary Nansubuga Seninde, the NRM Director of Mobilization, Cadre Identification, Recruitment, and Placement, noted that despite Mateke’s reluctance to back the party flag bearer, the NRM remains confident of a victory in the by-election. She revealed that in light of Mateke’s stance, the party has appointed the District NRM Vice Chairman, Ramathan Ndikuyeze, to lead campaign efforts for Kabageyni.
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The Minister of Information, Communication Technology, and National Guidance, Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, described Mateke’s refusal to back the flag bearer as an act of indiscipline that warrants disciplinary action. He noted that Mateke erred by taking sides during the NRM primary elections. According to Baryomunsi, Rose Kabageyni is the elected NRM flag bearer for Kisoro, and the party is committed to mobilizing support for her.
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Dr. Mateke, however, maintained that the party must uphold principles of transparency to remain vibrant. He insisted that the irregularities in the primaries have made it difficult to identify a genuine flag bearer. He suggested that the upcoming by-election will ultimately reveal the candidate best suited to represent Kisoro.
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The by-election, scheduled for November 14, 2024, is expected to be competitive, with candidates from various parties including Salim Sultana (NUP), Aisha Cyimpaye (PPP), Juliet Musanase (FDC), and Mable Ingabire (UPC) vying for the seat. The by-election follows the passing of the former Kisoro Woman MP and State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, in early September.
