The day has finally arrived for the voters of Kisoro District to elect a new Woman Member of Parliament (MP).

This by-election comes after the sudden passing of Hon. Sarah Mateke Nyirabitshi, which left the seat vacant.

Voters turned out in large numbers early this morning to cast their votes at various polling stations across the district.

Candidates Competing for the Seat

The by-election features candidates from multiple political parties. The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has fronted Rose Kabagyeni as their candidate.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) is represented by Sultan Tana, while other notable candidates include:

MP Cyimpaye Aisha for the People’s Progressive Party (PPP)

Akifeza Grace Ngabirano (Independent)

Ngabire Mable representing the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC)

Musanase Juliet for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC)

Voting Begins Amid High Turnout

Voting commenced at approximately 8:00 AM, as reported by Mogad Turikumukiza, the presiding officer at Gikoro Primary School polling station.

By 11:00 AM, about 80 of the 582 registered voters at this station had already cast their ballots.

The enthusiasm among voters reflects the importance of this election in determining the district’s representative.

NUP candidate Sultana Salim has also voted at the New Taxi Park in Kisoro.

She condemned the mis-treatment of his agents by the security forces and said the election appeared to be unfair.

Tensions and Concerns at Polling Stations

Despite the strong turnout, the election has not been without challenges.

Videos circulating on social media show voters engaging in heated exchanges with security personnel, including armed UPDF soldiers.

Allegations of vote rigging and interference have sparked confrontations between voters and security forces.

One video captured a woman confronting security personnel, asserting that their role is to maintain law and order, not to engage in electoral misconduct.

This incident highlights the heightened emotions and concerns over the fairness of the electoral process.

The Importance of This By-Election

The by-election in Kisoro District is crucial, as it will determine who will represent the region’s women in Parliament.

The previous MP, Hon. Sarah Mateke Nyirabitshi, passed away unexpectedly a few months ago, making this election necessary.

Who Will Win?

As the day unfolds, voters and political analysts alike are keenly observing which candidate will emerge victorious.

The outcome will not only affect Kisoro District but will also serve as a reflection of the current political landscape in Uganda.

The election for the female MP for Kisoro district started at 1am and will end at 10pm

Stay tuned for updates as the results are tallied and the new Woman MP for Kisoro District is announced.