Kabasharira bounces back as legislator
Mar 06, 2011
NAOME Kabasharira joined politics as a young graduate. She was among the first group of NRM elected politicians that represented the women of Ntungamo district on the National Resistance Council (NRC).
By Darious Magara
NAOME Kabasharira joined politics as a young graduate. She was among the first group of NRM elected politicians that represented the women of Ntungamo district on the National Resistance Council (NRC).
She says when the need to have NRC members in Parliament came, she was contacted by influential women in Ntungamo district who urged her to contest for the seat and eventually went through unopposed.
Kabasharira, a daughter to the late Perezi Kabasharira, did not rise just because of her father’s popularity, but because she had special attributes that endeared her to people.
“I used to ride a bicycle with a 50-litre can of milk from the village to the dairy in Ntungamo town,†she recalls.
“Doing manly work made me popular among some people. I once built a semi-permanent house with my brother.â€
Kabasharira’s father was a popular farmer and businessman who, through hard work and ability to share his skills like carpentry with others, rose to prominence in the area. He died in 2002. She is the second last born in a family of 10 siblings.
Kabasharira, who had also represented her district in the sixth Parliament (2001-2006), lost her re-election bid to Parliament in 2006 when it was discovered that she lacked the required academic qualifications. However, she has since improved her qualifications.
After 10 years outside Parliament, Kabasharira made a come-back last year and beat the incumbent, Beatrice Rwakimari in the NRM primaries with over 50,000 votes.
She said as she campaigned in some villages, some women, in demonstration of their support to her candidature, exposed their breasts to bless her.
Although Kabasharira experienced a tough campaign with limited resources, her win was facilitated by her record performance.
NAOME Kabasharira joined politics as a young graduate. She was among the first group of NRM elected politicians that represented the women of Ntungamo district on the National Resistance Council (NRC).
She says when the need to have NRC members in Parliament came, she was contacted by influential women in Ntungamo district who urged her to contest for the seat and eventually went through unopposed.
Kabasharira, a daughter to the late Perezi Kabasharira, did not rise just because of her father’s popularity, but because she had special attributes that endeared her to people.
“I used to ride a bicycle with a 50-litre can of milk from the village to the dairy in Ntungamo town,†she recalls.
“Doing manly work made me popular among some people. I once built a semi-permanent house with my brother.â€
Kabasharira’s father was a popular farmer and businessman who, through hard work and ability to share his skills like carpentry with others, rose to prominence in the area. He died in 2002. She is the second last born in a family of 10 siblings.
Kabasharira, who had also represented her district in the sixth Parliament (2001-2006), lost her re-election bid to Parliament in 2006 when it was discovered that she lacked the required academic qualifications. However, she has since improved her qualifications.
After 10 years outside Parliament, Kabasharira made a come-back last year and beat the incumbent, Beatrice Rwakimari in the NRM primaries with over 50,000 votes.
She said as she campaigned in some villages, some women, in demonstration of their support to her candidature, exposed their breasts to bless her.
Although Kabasharira experienced a tough campaign with limited resources, her win was facilitated by her record performance.