NRM Primaries Heat Up: 13 Candidates Vie for Kisoro By-Election Ticket

As the NRM primaries approach, the 13 aspirants will engage in a fierce competition, with the winner set to represent the party in the by-election to fill the seat left vacant by the late Minister Sarah Mateke.

The Kisoro by-election is heating up, with 13 candidates vying for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket.

This surge in interest comes on the heels of the party's sustained grip on power in Uganda.

Determined to maintain its stronghold in Kisoro, the NRM faces challenges from the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), who are gearing up to contest the party’s dominance.

As the NRM primaries approach, the 13 aspirants will engage in a fierce competition, with the winner set to represent the party in the by-election to fill the seat left vacant by the late Minister Sarah Mateke.

Candidates are likely to focus on critical issues such as economic development, infrastructure improvement, and social services that remain unfinished from the late Sarah Mateke's agenda.

With the NRM's track record in Kisoro under scrutiny, the opposition will seize every opportunity to highlight any perceived weaknesses.

Notably, there are no family members from the Mateke family participating in this by-election. This raises the question: Will the NRM maintain its grip on Kisoro, or will the opposition pull off an upset? The stage is set for a thrilling electoral contest.

In a phone interview, NRM Electoral Commission chairman Dr Tanga Odoi expressed the party's readiness for the upcoming by-election.

He confirmed that 13 candidates have shown interest and highlighted the need for cooperation among them.

“The roadmap is very clear. The expression of interest ended on Monday, and today the candidates are being nominated at the party head office," Odoi said.

"They will have joint campaigns from October 7 to 23, with the party election scheduled for October 25,” Odoi said.

He further urged candidates to avoid divisive tactics based on religion and ethnicity, warning that any candidate found to be engaging in such practices would be disqualified.

“If we find anyone attempting to deceive voters in any way, we will disqualify them. I will not hesitate to stand on the podium to disqualify any candidate who tries to define themselves through divisive means. It is crucial for candidates to demonstrate true leadership,” Odoi cautioned.