NRM leaders divided over supporting party flagbearer

By Francis Nizeyimana & Gerald Niyirinda

Kisoro district NRM leaders are divided over the Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament by-election, with some leaders being accused of failing to support the party’s flag bearer.

The Kisoro NRM party general secretary, Kanyabugoyi Joseph, accuses some top party leaders and politicians of betraying the party policy by denying support Hon Rose Kabagyeni, against her 5 opponents.

Hon Kabagyeni faces competition from independent Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, who bounced back after losing party primaries by a margin of 744.

Others are Sultan Salim Tana on National Unity Platform (NUP), Ingabire Mable for Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Musanase Juliet for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Chimpaye Aisha for People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

It is the first time Kisoro has had as many political parties fronting candidates.

But Kanyabugoyi believes internal party differences are unhealthy and are likely to frustrate NRM’s grasp on Kisoro as its stronghold.

Among others, he pointed out the district NRM Vice Chairperson Ndikuyeze Ramathan and Bukimbiri county MP Eddie Kwizera Wa Gahungu for not endorsing the flag bearer.

Kanyabugoyi wonders why Kwizera cannot rally for support for Ms Kabagyeni, yet the party threw all their might behind him during the Bukimbiri County by-election against Asgario Turyagyenda.

“We all as a party rallied for support for Kwizera. We spent sleepless nights in Bukimbiri as we sought support that eventually led to his victory. But he has refused to support the NRM candidate. He has not even congratulated the candidate or the party. You can’t be a member of NRM and a leader on the party ticket, and go against its policy.” Said Mr Kanyabugoyi.

He also blamed Ramathan for going against his early position on the party flag bearer, saying, ‘he can withdraw his recent statement in which he claims that he will not support any candidate in this race.’

According to Kanyabugoyi, Bufumbira North MP, Kamara John Nizeyimana is the only NRM politician that has declared support for the Kabagyeni.

With a margin of 744 votes, Kabagyeni beat her close opponent, Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, having garnered 39,941 votes. This was however followed by rigging accusations, with some NRM and district top leaders rumoured to secretly support either of the two.

In a phone conversation, Hon Eddie Kwizera did not directly deny the allegations, but called the Kanyabugoyi’s accusations as loose talk.

The two exchanged words before Kwizera asking Kanyabugoyi, “What’s your responsibility in Kisoro?”

“Who told you that I am not supporting the NRM candidate? Always speak what you know. What’s your relevance in Kisoro? Have you seen me oppose her? Does supporting her mean I carry her on my head? Kwizera is a flag bearer, Kabagyeni is a flag bearer, and voting is a constitutional right. I can’t force people to vote her,” said Kwizera.

On his part, Mr Ramathan said that Kisoro NRM leadership had petitioned the party secretariat to address conflicts that came up after the party primaries.

“Our policy states that when you lose the flag, you support the flag bearer. All the candidates belong to NRM, we want them to harmonise because we are all one family. We don’t want bloodshed in Kisoro,” the NRM vice chairperson said.

Nevertheless, Ramathan’s position contradicts his earlier call for all leaders across the district to rally behind Hon Kabagyeni, the party’s candidature.

During her nomination on 30^th October, Ramathan said, “all leaders from LC1, LC2, LC3 and LC5 should support Kabagyeni, our flag bearer. Even the president as our party president should support her.”

Kisoro NRM Chairperson, Philemon Mateke is yet to comment on the divisions within top and lower party members.

Six Candidates hit the ground

On Monday, each of the six candidates held rallies in two Sub Counties as they race to occupy the Kisoro Woman MP seat.

Independent candidate Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, pledged to lobby funds to improve road infrastructure, hospitals, and schools, as she toured Nkuringo and Rubuguri Town Councils. 

Akifeza highlighted that many parts of Nkuringo, particularly in Hamabende, Nyarusunzu and Nteko, are in dire need of improved road networks, functioning healthcare facilities, and schools.

She was flanked by other leaders, including Kisoro district speaker, Amos Hakizimana, who is said to be on her campaign team.

The residents of Nkuringo who have long struggled with the challenges of inadequate infrastructure, said that they struggle to communicate due to the poor telecommunication and road network.

Meanwhile, the NRM party flag bearer, Hon Rose Kabagyeni campaigned in Rwingwe, Gasiza and Gisorora parishes of Nyakabande Sub County, and later in Kisoro Municipality.

Hon Kabagyeni pledged to work with all leaders to drive Kisoro’s development. 

Mobilisation of government projects to the local person, supporting the girl child and easing access to education and medical care are top on her priority list.

Nyakabande LC5 Councilor, Maniraguha Godfrey commended Hon Kabagyeni Rose for advocating for the people of Nyakabande to continue using Gitundwe wetland.

“I thank Hon Kabagyeni because she spoke to the president and that’s how we were able to continue using the wetland. Communities of Nyakabande entirely depend on this wetland, and evicting them is almost equal to murder. Some leaders rebuked me, but its only Kabagyeni that supported me.”

Ntawera Funi Evary, the Nyakabande LCIII Chairperson rallied people to vote for the NRM flag bearer for sustainable development.

Other candidates in the race are Sultan Salim Tana on National Unity Platform (NUP), Ingabire Mable for Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Musanase Juliet for Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Chimpaye Aisha for People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

The election is scheduled for 14^th November 2024.