By KT Reporters
Meble Ingabire, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party flag bearer, has attributed her loss in the recent Kisoro District Woman Member of Parliament by-election to the less campaigning time scheduled by the Electoral Commission.
In an election held on November 14, 2024, Ingabire received only 362 votes and lost to Independent Candidate Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, who garnered 50,459 votes. Akifeza, who is scheduled to be sworn in on Tuesday this week, also triumphed over Rose Kabagyeni, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party flag bearer, who received 44,982 votes.
Sultana Salim Tana of the National Unity Platform (NUP) party received 903 votes, Juliet Musanase of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Najjanankumbi faction received 193 votes, and Aisha Chimpaye of the People’s Progressive (PPP) Party got 157 votes.
Ingabire told our reporter on Monday evening that the one-week campaign period scheduled by the Electoral Commission was not enough. She explained that the limited time made it difficult for her to traverse all areas of Kisoro District to garner support. Ingabire, however, revealed that she is now preparing for a full return in the 2026 general elections, where there will be enough days for campaigning.
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When contacted, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama, Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, stated that an election is not a matter of life and death and that losers should always concede defeat. He explained, “The issue of elections is not a do or die” and added, “pagirinya, in Nyumanje.” The seat became vacant following the death of Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, State Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs, on September 7, 2024. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
