The Kisoro woman MP by-elections have reached high gears as different party presidents start storming the district to support their party flag bearers.
The by-election campaigns had a different twist, as observed on Monday, November 11, 2024, by the arrival of Robert Kyagulanyi, the National Unity Platform (NUP) party president in Kisoro, who went to campaign for the party candidate, Sultana Salim Mukankwaya, amidst heavy military deployment.
The heavy military deployment could be seen by a fleet of army trucks heading into Kisoro town on Monday, November 11, 2024.
While heading to Kisoro, Kyagulanyi’s procession was at many times diverted from the main streets by security as they headed to their rally ground at Kisoro Mayor’s garden, saying that it was to reduce traffic in the business area.
Kyagulanyi, who was first denied entry into Kisoro town, was later allowed to proceed, and while addressing his supporters, Kyagulanyi asked them to remain steadfast and not be scared by the heavy guns and deployment but rather continue to support and vote for Mukankwaya as the sole candidate.
“I urge you all not to be intimidated by the military; just get ready to come and vote and make sure you protect your votes,” Kyagulanyi said.
Kyagulanyi was supposed to be in Kisoro from November 11-12, 2024, but he only managed to campaign for one day as the NRM party chairman, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, was expected to be in Kisoro on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.
Mukankway expressed her dissatisfaction with the Electoral Commission (EC) for canceling her second campaigning day, saying it was unfair.
“We already had a few days of campaigning, and when you cancel one important day of my campaigns when I have my party president rally for my support, then it’s not fair,” she said.
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Andrew Turinaimana, Mukankwaya’s supporter, said that the heavy military deployment is just meant to scare away voters and intimidate the opposition supporters.
“We have never seen such military deployment in Kisoro, but because Kyagulanyi is in town, that’s why we are seeing heavy military deployed everywhere,” he said.
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The Kisoro woman MP by-elections will take place on Thursday, November 14, 2024, after it fell vacant due to the sudden death of Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, the former State Minister for Defence and Veteran Affairs.
The race constitutes six candidates, including Rose Kabagyeni from the National Resistance Movement (NRM), Salim Sultana representing the National Unity Platform (NUP), and Grace Akifeza Ngabirano as an independent. Aisha Cyimpaye will carry the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) flag, while Juliet Musanase is representing the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Mable Ingabire for the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
