Grace Akifeza Ngabirano has stormed into Parliament after a thrilling win in the Kisoro Woman MP by-election, securing 50,459 votes and outshining her rival, former MP Rose Kabagyeni of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), by around 6,000 votes. Akifeza, running as an independent, now steps into the limelight to serve out the term left vacant after the death of MP Sarah Mateke in September.

The final results were announced at 1:30 a.m. on Friday 15 November, by Kisoro District Returning Officer Daniel Nayebare, marking the end of a highly competitive election. While six candidates were in the race, it quickly became a fierce duel between Akifeza and Kabagyeni, with the other contenders barely making a dent, each collecting fewer than 1,000 votes.

The campaign was nothing short of dramatic. Initially, Ruth Nyiraneza, sister of the late MP and daughter of Kisoro NRM boss Philemon Mateke, appeared to be the favourite. But she bowed out early, setting the stage for a tense NRM primary. Despite the party chairman, President Yoweri Museveni, urging unity and asking 12 aspirants to rally behind Akifeza, only five complied.

Kabagyeni narrowly won the NRM ticket by just 700 votes, sparking a bitter rift within the party. Philemon Mateke, a towering figure in Kisoro politics, openly backed Akifeza, accusing the party of imposing Kabagyeni on the people. With the NRM family divided, Akifeza decided to go it alone, running as an independent, and it paid off spectacularly.

Akifeza’s grassroots campaign captured the hearts of Kisoro voters, ultimately toppling Kabagyeni’s hold on the seat. Her win is a major shakeup for Kisoro’s political scene, casting doubt on Kabagyeni’s future and showcasing the power of voter independence.

For Akifeza, the victory is not just a personal triumph but a potential turning point for Kisoro, signaling a new era of leadership and perhaps a reshaped political narrative in the district.