Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party leaders have appealed to their voters in Kisoro district to remain vigilant during the forthcoming Kisoro woman Member of Parliament by-elections to curtail vote rigging.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the UPC party headquarters at Uganda House along Jinja Road in Kampala, the UPC spokesperson, Sharon Oyat, said that vigilance is one of the possible solutions to curb vote rigging, as was demonstrated in Dokolo and Oyam North, where UPC candidates emerged as winners.
“We reiterate to our voters to be vigilant and report any vote rigging as we have done and demonstrated in the previous by-elections in both Dokolo and Oyam North,” she said.
She also cautioned the Electoral Commission, political parties, security agencies, and candidates to abstain from any form of vote rigging, bribery, ballot stuffing, violence, or unlawful arrests, among others.
“We demand free, fair, and peaceful elections as we call upon all registered voters of Kisoro District to mobilize and rise early tomorrow, line in big numbers, and cast your vote for Mable Ingabire as the next District Woman Member of Parliament for Kisoro,” Oyat said.
Oyat also revealed that UPC has identified and trained agents and observers to guard party votes at any cost.
Read Also: UPC Leaders Call for Peaceful By-election in Kisoro
The UPC Party President, Jimmy Akena, also appealed to the people of Kisoro to overwhelmingly support Igabire as the next Kisoro District Member of Parliament.
He, however, revealed that actual change can only be realized at the top, stating that he will be ready to challenge the incumbent candidate of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) come the 2026 general elections.
“I have come to realize that actual change can only be done at the top, and therefore I am going to challenge for the top position. In 2026, we are going to make a difference and activate the foundations laid by the two UPC governments,” Akena said.
The Kisoro by-election has pitted six candidates for the woman MP seat, which fell vacant after the death of Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi in September 2024.
The six candidates include Mable Ingabire of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, Juliet Musanase (FDC), Rose Kabagyeni (NRM), Salim Sultana (NUP), and Aisha Cyimpaye (PPP). The Kisoro by-election is on Thursday, November 14, 2024.
