Akifeza Grace Ngabirano, an independent candidate, has emerged victorious in the Kisoro District Woman MP by-election, beating her closest rival, Kabagyeni Rose of the NRM.
The announcement was made by the Electoral Commission’s Returning Officer for Kisoro, Dan Nayebare, after the by-election held on Thursday.
The seat became vacant following the untimely death of Sarah Mateke, the former area MP and Minister of State for Defence.
Akifeza secured 50,459 votes, while Kabagyeni garnered 44,982 votes. A total of 97,056 valid votes were cast in the election.
Though the by-election saw six candidates compete, the contest was largely seen as a two-horse race between Akifeza and Kabagyeni. Kabagyeni had earlier defeated Akifeza in a controversial NRM primary.
Other candidates in the race included Zubedi Sultana Salim of the NUP, who finished third with 903 votes, and Ingabire Mable of UPC, who received 362 votes. Musanese Juliet of FDC earned 193 votes, while Cyimpaye Aisha of the PPP received the least, with 157 votes.
