Summary:
- Mateke remarked that it has become difficult to identify the true party flag bearer, given the alleged rigging of the National Resistance Movement Party primaries.
KISORO: The National Resistance Movement (NRM) chairman for Kisoro District, Dr. Philemon Mateke, has stated that the party currently has no flag bearer for the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament by-election.
Dr. Mateke criticized the NRM Electoral Commission, chaired by Dr. Tanga Odoi, accusing him of coming to Kisoro with the intent to flaunt his wealth and push for a candidate of his choice, disregarding the people’s wishes.
Mateke expressed disappointment with the commission, blaming them for causing turmoil in the district.
He alleged that the NRM primaries were plagued with irregularities, including vote rigging, and cited incidents where refugees at Nyakabande Transit Camp were allowed to vote despite not being on the NRM register, as well as instances where patients in various polling stations were compelled to cast ballots.
Mateke remarked that it has become difficult to identify the true party flag bearer, given the alleged rigging of the primaries. He suggested that the upcoming by-election will reveal the most suitable candidate to represent the district.
CUE IN MATEKE………..ON THE MATTER ……..ENG//
Kisoro District NRM Vice Chairperson, Ramadan Ndikuyeze, who initially endorsed Honorable Kabagyeni as the party’s flag bearer following her nomination by the Electoral Commission last week, clarified that the district’s NRM leadership has petitioned the party secretariat to mediate between the two candidates and is awaiting a response. Ndikuyeze urged NRM leaders in Kisoro, starting from the village level, to rally support for the flag bearer ahead of the November 14 by-election.
CUE IN NDIKUYEZE…….ON PETITION ……..RR//
However, Emmanuel Lumala Dombo, the NRM’s Director of Information and Publicity, has confirmed that the party’s official flag bearer is Kabegyeni. He urged party leaders to focus on rallying support for the flag bearer and to set aside grievances, which can be addressed after the election.
Dombo also announced that the NRM secretariat will soon travel to Kisoro to meet with local party leaders and members, ensuring their continued commitment to supporting the party.
CUE IN DOMBO…..ON THE MATTER…..LUG/ENG//
Meanwhile, Kisoro District NRM General Secretary, Joseph Kanyabugoyi, accused some party leaders in the district of withholding support from Honorable Rose Kabagyeni, the party’s official candidate in the Woman MP by-election. Kanyabugoyi specifically named Vice Chairperson Ndikuyeze Ramadan and Bukimbiri County MP Eddie Kwizera Wa Gahungu as leaders who have opposed support for Kabagyeni since the start of campaigns. He described this internal discord as detrimental to the party’s unity.
CUE IN KANYABUGOYI…….ON PARTY LEADERS …….RR//
In response, Honorable Eddie Kwizera asserted that supporting a flag bearer does not necessarily mean campaigning for them, emphasizing that he cannot force voters to choose a candidate against their will.
CUE IN KWIZERA……..ON RESPONSE ……..RR//
Kanyabugoyi reminded Kwizera of the support he received from the NRM in his successful bid for the Bukimbiri seat in the 2022 by-election. However, Kwizera interjected, asserting that he would have won the by-election with or without Kanyabugoyi’s backing.
CUE IN KWIZERA AND KANYABUGOYI…….ON THE ISSUE ……RR//
Kabagyeni, a Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture, won the NRM primaries with 39,941 votes, narrowly defeating Grace Ngabirano Akifeza, who received 39,197 votes.
