Five out of 13 candidates candidates contesting to replace fallen Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi, Kisoro district woman member of parliament have withdrawn from the race.
The candidates withdrew day after holding a meeting with President Yoweri Museveni at State House Entebbe yesterday (on Sunday). The meeting for harmonising to have some candidates step down reportedly failed to yield the desired result all of them remained with their interest of staying in the race. Museveni reportedly advised that another meeting be held on Monday by the party stakeholders.
Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, Sylivia Dushime Agaba, Winfred Faith Igiraneze, Jemimah Irankunda, Rose Kabagyeni, and Blessed Kitentere, Irene Mahirwe, Hellen Mbonye, Fancy Bredah Nirere, and Louise Niyikiza were in the run.
However on Monday afternoon, Dr.Tang Odoi, NRM party Electoral Commission Chairman released a statement about the withdrawal five. He confirming that after the meeting with candidates and stakeholders led by Dr. Chris Baryomunsi, Minister for Information and National Guidance and also the party vice chairperson in charge of western Uganda, Odoi himself, Hon.Hajjat Madina Naham, party’s director in charge of administration and finance, Hon. Jane Alisemera Babiiha, Commissioner in Charge of the party’s electoral commission and Enock Barata, Party’s Director in charge of Legal Services, five of the candidates decided to withdraw from the race.
Odoi listed the candidates that have withdrawn from the race as Slyvia Dushime, Louise Niyikiriza, Allen Nkurikiye, Aphia Nyiramahoro and Eva Twizere. Odoi those who remain in the race as Rose Kabagyeni, the Senior Presidential Advisor on Agriculture, Brenda Fancy Nirere, Grace Ngabirano Akifeza, Hellen Mbonye, Faith Winfred Igiraneza,Jemimah Irankunda, Blessed Kitentera and Irene Mahirwe.
The NRM party has set October 25, 2024 as the polling date for the flag bearer. The Independent Electoral Commission has fixed November 14, 2024 as the official date to hold the by-election. The seat fell vacant after the death of Nyirabashitsi who was also the State Minister for State Minister for Defense and Veteran Affairs on September 7, 2024. She died after suffering a heart attack.
