Four councillors have spoken against the District Council resolution to ring-fence the Kisoro district woman parliamentary seat to the Mateke family, as touted by some legislators.
The seat fell vacant following the sudden death of former defense minister Sarha Mateke Nyirabashitsi on 7th September 2024 at Mengo hospital, Kampala.
She was laid to rest on Thursday 12th September at her father’s home in Nyakabingo, Chahi Sub County. Her funeral was clouded by succession talk, with local politicians naming her sister, Ruth Nyiraneza as a preferred candidate.
Public debate especially on social media platforms became more vivid when the Bukimbiri county Member of Parliament, Hon. Eddie Kwizera Wa-Gahungu proposed before parliament that the NRM-ticket for the apparent by-election be ring-fenced to the Mateke family. This was during the special parliamentary sitting to eulogize the late Minister and Kisoro Woman MP.
The Bufumbira North legislator, Hon. Kamara John Nizeyimana followed with a series of commands identifying Ruth Nyiraneza Mateke as the best successor of her elder sister.
This was later passed as a council resolution by the Kisoro district council that sat to pay tribute to Hon. Sarah on Wednesday 11th September, a session presided over by the Kisoro speaker Amos Hakizimana. It was held at the home of Mzee Philemon Mateke, the former regional affairs minister.
At the funeral, Hon Kamara introduced Nyiraneza to the Western region NRM Vice-Chairperson, Dr Chris Babyomunsi and then the Vice President, Rtd Maj. Jessica Alupo.
But a section of the public has strongly condemned the move, terming it non-democratic and violation of voters’ rights to choose their own leader.
However, neither Ruth Nyiraneza, or any member of the Mateke family has pronounced themselves on the matter.
Now, a section of Kisoro district councilors have also distanced themselves from the resolution citing that they were not given a chance to debate the motion.
Among them is Byamugisha Deus (Rubuguri town council), Maniraguha Godfrey (Nyakabande sub county), Bahizi Flugensi (Rukundo town council) and Nizeyimana Valence (Cyanika town council) who have also blamed the district speaker for ‘accepting a motion which was not on the order paper’.
They also allege that the environment in which the council session was held was unfavorable for most councilors to express themselves freely.
“The council was held at Mzee Mateke’s home, who had lost a child. Some of the councillors did not feel comfortable to oppose the motion, thinking it would cause uneasiness for the mourners. But we denounce the resolution because we believe in fair election.” said the Councillors.
“I’m unhappy that such a matter was smuggled into a sitting that was specially organised to par tribute to our beloved minister. I raised my arm several times but I was denied opportunity by the speaker. I wanted to dispute the motion that we believed in a sole candidate because it was not on the order paper and its against the NRM and National constitutions.” said Deus Byamugisha, Councillor for Rubuguri.
“I was shocked that our esteemed leaders smuggled their own projects to the council. These were on their own business because the MPs have not attended any sitting for the past 4 years! This means that as we were mourning, others were scheming for their personal benefits.” said Maniraguha Godfrey for Nyakabande Sub County.
the comments follow strong statements from Bufumbira North MP, John Kamara Nizeyimana, who has circulated audio recordins on several WhatsApp groups, warning that anyone that attempts to stand against his preferred candidate will meet stiff resistance.
Kisoro NRM bosses remain tight-lipped on the matter, but the Vice NRM Chairperson Ramathan Ndikuyeze recently said the party would embrace free and fair elections.
This week, NRM Secretary General, Richard Todwong said that any eligible candidate would be welcome to contest for the seat.
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