Published on 13/11/2024
President Yoweri Museveni, NRM National Chairman, has urged Kisoro residents to vote for Rose Kabagyeni, NRM flag bearer in the upcoming Woman MP by-election on Thursday. Kabagyeni seeks to fill the seat left vacant by the late Sarah Mateke Nyirabashitsi.
Addressing large rallies in Muramba Sub County and Shaza grounds, Museveni emphasized that NRM, Kabagyeni’s party is committed to uplifting the community’s welfare. He highlighted the party’s initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and urged unity to continue the region’s progress under NRM leadership.
“Always ask candidates seeking for leadership which political party they belong to. If you don’t ask them, you will make mistakes. The NRM for many years has proven capacity to work for the development of the population unlike other parties who stunted the growth of Uganda for over 20 years after independence,” the NRM Chairman said as he addressed crowds.
Since 1986, when the NRM took up leadership to date, Museveni said, the people of Kisoro understood the “NRM gospel.” “You have always supported the NRM for its good track record in sectors like building relative peace and stability, introducing free education in government schools, and providing electricity connectivity even in remote areas to encourage production and construction of tarmac roads in many areas, including Kisoro,” the President said.
He asked the voters to elect Kabagyeni because she won the NRM primary elections, and he commended some of the aspirants who, on his advice, chose to withdraw from the race and back the ticket holder, “they are also good leaders,” he said.
On religion and tribes
The Head of State expressed concern over emerging reports that some candidates and their teams in Kisoro are advancing politics of religion and tribes as they seek people’s mandate to parliament.
“I was told that some aspirants and their agents are dividing the people during campaigns using religion and tribes.
“Those things of tribes and religion are very dangerous because they can destabilise the community. They destroyed the past governments for over 20 years after independence in the mid-80s. We had to go to the bush for 14 years to fight and correct that historical mistake, but it took us a long time. Whoever wants to take us back is an enemy of Uganda and will be crushed,” the President warned.
“You all know what happened in Rwanda. It was brought by ‘tribes’. For over 60 years, the Democratic Republic of Congo has been destabilised due to tribal conflicts and clashes. Do you want the same problems to return to Uganda? Or do you agree with me that we all fight that problem together?” Museveni asked the voters.
To those who support an independent candidate due to disagreements from the primary election, saying it was stolen, Museveni said “If the Kabagyeni team stole elections, its medicine should not be to leave NRM.”
“You can reveal to us the evidence, and we will investigate. Even if the elections are done. The perpetrators of the stolen votes will be apprehended and her win withdrawn. So don’t divide yourselves due to the said issues. Don’t bring back that cancer,” he said.
He warned candidates against tribal or religious politicking, saying “They are potential criminals waiting to go to jail.”
“I have engaged with religious leaders in Kisoro and Kabale and we have agreed to eliminate the indiscipline of using region, tribes and use of abused language from our politics,” He said.
He later handed the NRM flag to Kabagyeni to represent the party in the election.
After endorsement by the president, Rose Kabagyeni committed to remain a loyal cadre of the NRM work to bring positive change among the people of Kisoro.
“I will not disappoint you the people of Kisoro if you vote for me as your leader in Parliament in the remaining time,” she said.
The NRM Deputy National Treasurer Hon. Jacqueline Kyatuhaire, who represented the party Secretary General, said if elected, Kabagyeni will coordinate well with the government and other leaders to ensure that there is effective service delivery. “It is only the NRM with clear policies through its manifesto of transforming lives.”
“President Museveni is looking for a cadre to serve you. I ask you to elect the NRM candidate who is loyal and committed to serving you,” Kyatuhaire said.
The rallies also attracted ministers, members of the NRM Central Executive Committee, NRM Secretariat officials, and legislators among other leaders.
