Kisoro District Returning Officer Dan Nayebare has declared independent candidate Grace Akifeza Ngabirano as the winner of the Kisoro Woman Member of Parliament seat. Akifeza, who ran as an independent, narrowly defeated the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Rose Kabagyeni.
According to official results from the Electoral Commission, Akifeza secured 50,459 votes, while Kabagyeni received 44,483 votes. This outcome signals a significant setback for the NRM, which has held a dominant position in Ugandan politics for decades.
Below is how each of the candidates performed;
- AKIFEZA Grace Ngabirano [Independent] - 50,459
- CYIMPAYE Aisha [PPP] - 157
- INGABIRE Mable [UPC] - 362
- KABAGYENI Rose [NRM] - 44,982
- MUSANASE Juliet [FDC] - 193
- ZUBEDI Sultana Salim [NUP] - 903
The by-election was held to fill the seat left vacant by the death of MP Sarah Mateke in September. Akifeza had initially contested for the NRM ticket but lost the primary to Kabagyeni. She refused to concede, citing irregularities, and chose to run as an independent.
Akifeza’s decision resonated with voters dissatisfied with the NRM’s primary process. Her victory underscores growing criticism of the ruling party’s internal handling of elections and presents a notable challenge to its influence in the region.
