In the entire
Kisoro district located in south western Uganda, a remarkable journey unfolded
on Thursday 14 November 2024, when Grace Akifeza Ngabirano was declared the
winner for Kisoro woman Member of parliament after getting 50,459 votes (51.4%),
defeating her closest competitor, Rose
Kabagyeni, the NRM party ticket holder who managed to get 44,982 votes (45.8%),
according to final results tally sheets signed off by the Kisoro District
Electoral Returning officer, Mr Nayebare Daniel..
In this
documentary, we explore who Grace Akifeza Ngabirano is, her journey, her
values, and her vision for a thriving Kisoro District as the newly elected
Woman Member of Parliament.
The Background:
The seat for
Kisoro Woman MP had been vacant since the untimely death of the late Hon. Sarah
Mateke Nyirabashitsi, the former Member of Parliament and Minister of State for
Defence. The passing of Hon. Mateke left a significant void in the district,
with the people of Kisoro yearning for leadership that would provide stability,
progress, and development. Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, with her vast experience
and passion for serving her people, emerged as a beacon of hope.
But who is Grace
Akifeza Ngabirano?
Grace
Akifeza Ngabirano is the daughter of Mzee Bakanya, a well-respected figure from
Gasaro (Matinza) in Nyakabande Subcounty, Kisoro District.
From an
early age, Grace understood the importance of education and community
development. This commitment was nurtured by her parents, who valued education
as a pathway to progress and societal transformation.
Education and Professional
Qualifications:
Grace’s
thirst for knowledge led her to pursue higher education with dedication. She
earned a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences from Nairobi University, Kenya.
Her academic journey didn't stop there. Driven by a passion for social justice,
she went on to obtain two Master's Degrees: one in Child Rights from Kurt Bosch
University and another in Gender Development Studies from Nairobi University. Additionally,
she completed a Diploma in Project Management from Makerere University,
equipping herself with the skills necessary to effectively manage and lead
development projects.
Her
education, combined with her real-world experiences, made Grace a knowledgeable
and credible woman, ready to take on the challenges of political office.
Professional Experience:
Throughout
her career, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano gained extensive experience working with international
organizations, including the UNHCR in Nairobi, Community Aid International in
Kenya, and the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva. These roles allowed
her to engage with global development issues, humanitarian initiatives, and policy
advocacy.
Her work
with these organizations, particularly in areas of child rights, gender
equality, and infrastructure development, provided her with a unique
understanding of the global challenges facing communities. This experience,
combined with her deep-rooted understanding of local issues, made her an ideal
candidate to represent Kisoro District in the Ugandan Parliament.
A Commitment to Women’s Empowerment
and Development:
Throughout
her campaigns, Ms. Ngabirano has been pledging to advocate for women’s rights,
education, and economic empowerment. Her passion for empowering women has been
a central theme in her political journey.
As a mother
and businesswoman herself, she understands the importance of creating an
environment where women, children, and families can thrive.
In the heat
of the fiercely competitive election, Ms. Grace Ngabirano’s message of unity,
development, and progress resonated with the electorate. Despite being an
independent candidate, her ability to bring people together, cutting across
political divisions, was key to her success.
The Campaign and
Victory:
The
by-election was intensely contested, with Rose Kabagyeni, the NRM party ticket
holder, emerging as Ms. Ngabirano’s closest rival.During NRM primaries Rose
Kabageni was declared as a winner by Righ Hon Dr Tanga Odoi the NRM electoral chairperson.
This was contested by Mrs Akifeza and her supporters alleging discrepancies in
NRM electoral process.
Akifeza
decided to contest as an independent candidate but she was downsized by NRM
members who could say that he will be embarrassed after losing to the flag
bearer.
However, Grace’s message of hope, development,
and unity won the hearts of voters across Kisoro District. When the final
results were declared, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano had secured 50,459 votes, or
representing 51.4%, defeating her closest competitor Rose Kabageni, who
garnered 44,982 votes (45.8%).
in his
official announcement, Mr. Nayebare Daniel, the Kisoro District Electoral Returning
Officer, declared Ms. Ngabirano as the winner.
Dr. Philemon Mateke, the Kisoro District
NRM chairperson, taken a bold step by physically campaigning for the
independent candidate, Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, in the Kisoro by-election.However
many insults wer hurled against him by NRM mebers
Vision for Kisoro:
With her
victory, Ms. Ngabirano enters Parliament as a woman of great promise. Her
vision for Kisoro is clear: she aims to develop the district by addressing key
areas such as infrastructure, education, healthcare, and women’s economic
empowerment.
Personal Life and
Family:
Grace
Akifeza Ngabirano is not only a politician but also a businesswoman and commercial
farmer. Her ventures in agriculture have allowed her to understand the needs of
the local economy, which heavily relies on farming and small-scale businesses.
Grace is
married to Mr. Ngabirano Michael, and together they have four children. She
maintains a strong family life, and her commitment to her family and community
is central to her identity as a leader.
Grace
Akifeza Ngabirano’s rise to become Kisoro’s new Woman Member of Parliament
marks the beginning of a promising era for the district. With her extensive
experience, educational background, and unwavering dedication to her people,
she stands poised to make a lasting impact.
Her victory
is a testament to the power of resilience, dedication, and unity. As Ms.
Ngabirano begins her journey in Parliament, her supporters and fellow leaders
have high hopes for her leadership, believing she will guide Kisoro District
toward prosperity and development like how late Nyirabashitsi Mateke was doing.
The future of
Kisoro looks brighter with Grace Akifeza Ngabirano, a leader who is committed
to creating lasting change for her community, region, and country.
End of Documentary
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