Five face off in Kisoro municipality mayoral polls

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Kisoro municipality is set for a closely watched mayoral election tomorrow, as residents prepare to cast their votes in a tight race featuring five contestants.

The election comes at a time when the town is grappling with rapid urbanisation, infrastructure challenges and a growing demand for improved social services.

John King Mbonigaba

The Electoral Commission nominated five candidates: National Resistance Movement party flag-bearer Alex Nambajimana, JohnKing Mbonigaba (independent), Caleb Tuyishime (independent), Owen Ahimbisibwe of the People's Front for Freedom party and Ramadhan Ndikuyeze (independent). 

The race speaks of a mix of experienced politicians, local personalities, and independent contenders, including incumbent Nambajimana, who is promising infrastructure improvement, increased security and boosting Kisoro’s position as a regional trade and tourism hub.

Nambajimana has focused on improving security and urban planning. He proposed establishing Police posts in high-risk areas, particularly neighbourhoods like Sewerage Playground, which have been linked to criminal activity.

Ramadhan Ndikuyeze

Mbonigaba, a well-known singer and radio presenter in Kisoro, promises social equality, poverty reduction and community-driven development projects.

He has also promised to prioritise inclusive development, ensuring equal opportunities for all residents.

He has pledged to fight poverty through active citizen participation in government programmes, including the Parish Development Model, Youth Venture Funds, and the Emyooga initiative, which provides support for small-scale entrepreneurs. He also aims to maintain a clean municipality with organised waste management programs.

Tuyishime, is a businessman specialising in the electronics business, who says his focus is on youth empowerment and local business initiatives.

Ndikuyeze Ramadhan (Independent), and being the National Resistance Movement chairperson for Kisoro municipality, has been campaigning primarily on grassroots engagement and strengthening municipal services for residents.

Owen Ahimbisibwe

Ahimbisibwe is concentrating on infrastructure and municipal revenue generation. He has pledged to install street lights throughout the town to improve safety and reduce crime at night. He also promises to monitor government development projects, such as the USMID initiative, which aims to improve urban services. 

Additionally, Ahimbisibwe intends to implement recycling programs, improve roads in poor condition, like Mutanda Road, and generate revenue through innovative municipal projects addressing the municipality’s challenges. Residents have expressed concerns about poor roads, inadequate street lighting, waste management, and unemployment, all of which are likely to influence voting decisions.

The municipality’s strategic position at the tri-border area close to Rwanda and the DRC presents both opportunities and challenges. While there is potential for tourism and cross-border trade, local leaders must address security and infrastructure issues within their power and also lobby the Government to fully realise this potential.

Election observers have indicated that voter turnout is likely to be high, given the competitive nature of the race and the diverse backgrounds of the candidates. The results are expected to shape Kisoro’s development trajectory for the coming years, particularly in terms of urban planning, economic growth, and public services.

As Kisoro residents prepare to head to the polls, the focus remains on which candidate can convincingly address the town’s pressing issues while uniting the community toward shared growth and prosperity.

Alex Namabajimana