KEY POINTS
- Grace Ngabirano wins Kisoro by-election, defeating NRM.
- Bobi Wine alleges voter intimidation, election rigging.
- Wine urges unity, grassroots mobilization before 2026.
Bobi Wine, leader of Uganda’s opposition National Unity Platform (NUP), has called for renewed resolve in the struggle for democracy following the Kisoro Woman MP by-election. His plea comes after independent candidate Grace Akifeza Ngabirano won in a shocking upset against the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Rose Kabagyeni.
According to PMdaily, Ngabirano, who garnered 50,459 votes compared to Kabagyeni’s 44,483, initially sought the NRM ticket but pursued an independent run after alleging irregularities in the party’s primaries. The NUP candidate, Sultana Salim, received 903 votes in the election held to replace the late Sarah Mateke, who passed away in September.
The by-election result highlights growing discontent with the NRM’s internal processes and performance, even within its traditional strongholds. Bobi Wine described the outcome as indicative of the challenges opposition parties face under what he termed a “dictatorial regime.”
Election malpractices undermine democratic progress
In a social media statement, Wine alleged the Kisoro by-election, like many before it, was marred by malpractices. He accused the NRM of deploying intimidation tactics, vote rigging, and manipulating voter turnout numbers to its advantage.
“Candidates had only 11 days to campaign in a district with 24 sub-counties,” Wine noted, highlighting the restrictive environment. He also alleged polling agents faced threats or bribes to abandon their stations, further undermining the integrity of the process.
The opposition leader pointed to a broader trend of electoral malpractice in Uganda, citing similar experiences in by-elections across the country, including Kayunga, Soroti East, Omoro, and Bukedea.
Protest vote against NRM
Wine acknowledged that Ngabirano’s victory reflected a protest vote against the NRM, as voters united behind the candidate they believed had the strongest chance of defeating the ruling party. He added that despite systemic rigging, the NUP candidate’s performance was noteworthy.
“Even without the rigging, the independent candidate would have won,” Wine said, adding that the NUP’s vote count was also likely underreported.
Call for unity and persistence
Bobi Wine urged his supporters not to be discouraged, emphasizing the need for intensified grassroots mobilization ahead of Uganda’s general elections. He praised the people of Kisoro for their warm reception and reiterated his commitment to using all democratic avenues to challenge the regime.
“The struggle against dictatorship is fraught with challenges, but we must persevere,” he stated. “Forward always—Backward never. Aluta continua!”
As the 2026 general elections approach, Wine’s message underscored the importance of unity among opposition forces in challenging the NRM’s long-standing dominance.
