Summary:
- The real storm began after the NRM primaries. Dr. Philemon Mateke, the NRM party chairman for Kisoro District, openly chose to back the Independent candidate, Grace Ngabirano Akifeza.
OP-ED: I spent a week in Kisoro before the by-election, and no one could confidently predict who would emerge victorious between Rose Kabagyeni (NRM) and Grace Ngabirano Akifeza (Independent).
The uncertainty lingered because the contest was razor-thin. The difference in the NRM primaries was just 744 votes a margin that any determined candidate could overturn with proper strategy.
Any seasoned politician knows that such a small margin can be erased with the right groundwork, organization, and mobilization.
I won’t claim one candidate cheated the other, but in fiercely contested elections like this, accusations of malpractice are almost inevitable. In fact, both candidates reportedly deployed questionable tactics, further muddying the waters, according to reliable sources.
However, the real storm began after the NRM primaries. Dr. Philemon Mateke, the NRM party chairman for Kisoro District, openly chose to back the Independent candidate, Grace Ngabirano Akifeza. His reasoning?
Akifeza had been “cheated” during the NRM primaries. The question remains: Did Mateke side with Akifeza out of genuine sympathy, or was she his preferred choice all along, even before the alleged cheating? Only Mateke knows the answer.
What is clear is that once Mateke declared his stance, the reaction from his NRM colleagues only worsened the situation. The party’s decision to publicly humiliate Mateke in Kisoro was a grave mistake.
For someone who had served the district for over five decades and was still mourning the loss of his daughter, the chants of “Uramwaye Mateke” (“Shame upon you, Mateke”) were not only unnecessary but deeply disrespectful.
This public display alienated many voters, who rallied behind Mateke as a show of solidarity. To the people of Kisoro, this wasn’t just about politics it was personal. They felt Mateke had been wronged, and they chose to defend him.
Adding to this was the NRM’s shockingly lackluster campaign strategy. While President Museveni visited Kisoro to campaign for Kabagyeni, his presence alone wasn’t enough.
Many party leaders seemed more interested in taking photos with the President than supporting their candidate.
As soon as Museveni left, so did they, leaving the campaign machinery in the hands of Hon. Dr. Chris Baryomunsi and Hon. Henry Musasizi. While their efforts were commendable, they couldn’t make up for the absence of broader party support.
This lack of coordination was a stark contrast to the Bukimbiri County by-election two years ago, where NRM leaders flooded the constituency and secured a decisive victory for Hon. Eddie Kwizera. This time, that same firepower was missing.
The Independent candidate, Akifeza, prepared for a fierce battle against a lion but instead found herself up against a rat. NRM’s lack of preparation allowed Akifeza to outmaneuver them with ease. This begs the question: Was the party machinery genuinely invested in Kabagyeni’s success?
However, the most troubling aspect of this election was the sectarianism that emerged. Ethnic and religious divisions marred the campaign, nearly tearing Kisoro apart. The hateful slogans and slurs I heard were a painful reminder of how quickly such divisions can escalate.
It was disheartening to see friends, neighbors, and even families turning against one another over ethnicity or religion. Worse still, it was the so-called elites those who should have been advocating for unity who fueled this divisiveness.
What I witnessed in Kisoro gave me a chilling insight into how something as catastrophic as the Rwandan genocide could begin. At one point, I saw a man nearly attack his own brother simply because they belonged to different religious denominations one Catholic, the other Protestant.
If this hatred were to spread across Uganda, our nation would be at risk of tearing itself apart. Even after the election, the wounds of sectarianism remain fresh, and some elites continue to stoke the flames instead of promoting reconciliation.
The blame game over who started this fire in Kisoro must stop. Instead, we must collectively declare, “Never again.” I call upon the government, non-governmental organizations, and all stakeholders to intervene urgently.
Kisoro needs a message of healing, unity, and reconciliation. The scars from this by-election must be addressed before they deepen further.
As we approach 2026, we must ensure that the seeds of division sown during this election do not take root. Kisoro’s wounds are still fresh, but with concerted effort, they can heal.
Finally, I congratulate Mrs. Grace Ngabirano Akifeza on her victory and wish her success in her new role.
The writer is the LC5 Male Youth Councillor for Rubanda District.
Wilfred Arinda Nshekantebirwe
Email: [email protected]
