Kisoro, Uganda — In a closely contested by-election, Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, an independent candidate, has emerged victorious as the new Woman Member of Parliament Kisoro District.
The announcement, made by Returning Officer Dan Nayebare, confirmed that Ngabirano received 50,459 votes, surpassing her main competitor, Kabagyeni Rose of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who garnered 44,982 votes.
Ngabirano’s win as an independent candidate highlights a significant shift in the political dynamics of Kisoro, a district that has traditionally shown strong support for NRM-backed candidates.
The by-election, held to fill the seat following the death of the previous MP, was marked by spirited campaigns, high voter turnout, and an electorate eager for representation on pressing local and national issues.
Here’s a breakdown of the results:
Akifeza Grace Ngabirano (Independent) – 50,459 votes
Kabagyen Rose (NRM) – 44,982 votes
Zubedi Sultana Salim (National Unity Platform) – 903 votes
Ingabire Mable (Uganda People’s Congress) – 362 votes
Musanase Juliet (Forum for Democratic Change) – 193 votes
Cyimpaye Aisha (People’s Progressive Party) – 157 votes
Dan Nayebare declared the election free, fair, and successful, thanking voters, candidates, and election stakeholders for their cooperation.
“The electorate has spoken, and it is our duty to honour their choice,” Nayebare stated.
Ngabirano’s victory is expected to shift the conversation in Kisoro’s political landscape, particularly as her campaign emphasized accountability, women’s empowerment, and economic opportunity.
Ngabirano’s triumph as an independent is a rare occurrence in Ugandan politics, where dominant party candidates usually enjoy substantial backing.
Her campaign attracted diverse supporters who resonated with her message of self-reliance and her promise to prioritize community needs over party politics.
Ngabirano’s appeal also drew strong support from youth and women, two groups seeking change and better representation in Uganda’s evolving political arena.
Kabagyeni Rose, the NRM candidate and Ngabirano’s closest rival, ran a competitive campaign and was widely considered the favourite.
Despite losing by a narrow margin, she thanked her supporters for their efforts and congratulated Ngabirano on her win.
Our mission to serve Kisoro remains, and I look forward to supporting our district’s development in any way I can,” Kabagyeni said in her concession message.
The by-election also marked a notable moment for the opposition parties.
Zubedi Sultana Salim of the National Unity Platform (NUP) received 903 votes, while Mable Ingabire of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and Juliet Musanase of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) trailed with 362 and 193 votes, respectively.
Cyimpaye Aisha of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) rounded off the tally with 157 votes.
Ngabirano’s victory has sparked discussions about the growing influence of independent candidates in Uganda’s politics.
Analysts suggest that her win may inspire more independents to contest in future elections, especially in districts where local issues outweigh party loyalty.
Ngabirano is expected to be sworn in as Kisoro’s Woman MP in the coming weeks.
As she prepares to take office, her supporters are hopeful that she will bring tangible progress to Kisoro and fulfil her campaign promises to improve health care, education, and economic opportunities for women and youth.
