Independent Kanyesigye beats NRM’s Ampaire to win female youth MP race

HOIMA - The independent candidate, Mercy Kanyesigye, has been declared the winner for the national female youth Member of Parliament.

Both Kanyesigye and Diana Ampaire Kampe contested in the National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries, which the latter won.

Kanyesigye was not satisfied with the results of the primaries and chose to return as an independent.

Friday evening, the returning officer, Jenifer Kyobutungyi, declared Kanyesigye the winner after defeating three other candidates.

Kanyesigye got 216 votes, NRM's Diana' Ampaire Kampe got 198 votes, independent candidate Julia Muhumuza got 24 votes, and NUP's candidate Edith Nammande Nakayizi got one vote.

Justice Simon Byabakama, the chairperson of the electoral commission, commended the youth delegates for their discipline and calm throughout the voting process, describing the exercise as the most peaceful youth election ever held.

He also commended the security and the government for having allowed them to conduct the elections in the Hoima City stadium.

“I want to commend the youths and the security agencies who have ensured that an atmosphere of tranquillity prevails at this venue during this exercise. I also want to commend the staff of the electoral commission for having conducted the entire exercise professionally, transparently and openly,” Byabakama added.

Following his declaration, Kanyesigye pledged to work closely with the National Youth Council to strengthen youth participation through established political structures.

She also committed to advocating for government policies aimed at economically empowering young people across the region. 

Osbon Turyasingura, an elections observer, said that the process started well and it has been peaceful with no major cases of insecurity recorded.

He, however, decried the cases of alleged voter bribery by some candidates.

“The election was not without controversy. Some candidates raised allegations of voter bribery against rival candidates,” he said.

Turyasingura also asked the electoral commission next time to include photos, names and districts of the delegates so as to avoid duplication of tags.

"We have seen tags without photos and names, and that is very wrong because many people can go and duplicate the tags," he said.

Ampaire defeat

Kalangala District Youth Chairperson Jonathan Kiboneko said all youth leaders had to stand with their fellow National Youth Council leader Kanyesigye.

Kiboneko blamed Diana Ampaire Kampe of disregarding the National Youth Council leaders and instead focused on the NRM Youth league, who do not vote in the college votes.

“She made a very big miscalculation and focused on the NRM youth league, which doesn’t vote at this stage and as district youths’ leaders, we had to stand with our own, the youth leader of Lyantonde district, Kanyesigye,” he said.

Earlier during the day, Kanyesigye had a bitter exchange with the security at the polling venue, who she accused of trying to intimidate her supporters and confusing her polling agents.