Kabale PWD councillor race settled as NRM's Semogerere wins rematch

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Zephereno Semogerere has won the LC5 male councillor seat for persons with disabilities in Kabale District following a re-election held Tuesday (February 17) at Kabale Municipal Stadium after an earlier poll ended in a tie.

Semogerere, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, secured 41 votes in the rerun, defeating independent candidate Fulgence Ayebare, popularly known as Fit Fit, who garnered 27 votes. Four ballots were declared invalid.

The re-election followed an earlier poll conducted on January 21, 2026, which ended in a tie after both candidates obtained 37 votes each. Electoral officials were compelled to organise a fresh exercise to determine the winner.



While the rerun concluded the electoral process, it also triggered sharp accusations and counter-accusations between the rival camps.

Shortly after the results were announced, Ayebare alleged that senior NRM officials interfered in the election by bribing voters. He specifically accused Peace Rugambwa, the senior presidential advisor on agriculture and local people, and Edson Turyahabwe, the Kabale district NRM publicity secretary, of influencing voters by distributing mattresses and bedsheets ahead of the polls.

Ayebare claimed that approximately 50 mattresses were delivered and shared among voters, which he described as a deliberate attempt to sway the outcome of the election.

“I was not competing against Semogerere,” Ayebare said shortly after the declaration of results. “I was competing against Peace Rugambwa and other powerful individuals who interfered in the election.”

He questioned the timing of what he described as sudden support for persons with disabilities, arguing that such assistance only emerged during the election period. According to him, genuine empowerment programmes should be consistent rather than appear during campaign seasons.

Despite expressing dissatisfaction with the conduct of the election, Ayebare said he would not challenge the results in court. Instead, he noted that he would concentrate on his personal businesses and consider contesting again in the future when circumstances are more favourable.

Zephereno Semogerere with Edson Turihohabwe. (Courtesy)

On his part, Semogerere welcomed the outcome with gratitude, thanking PWD voters for entrusting him with the responsibility of representing them at the district level. He also expressed appreciation to the NRM office in Kabale for supporting his campaign throughout the electoral period.

“I thank all the voters who have given me this mandate,” Semogerere said. “I pledge to serve with trust and transparency and to ensure that the concerns of persons with disabilities are effectively addressed.”

He emphasised that PWDs in Kabale district continue to face numerous challenges, including limited access to essential services, economic opportunities and social support systems. He pledged to advocate for improved service delivery and to work closely with district leaders to ensure that those most in need receive adequate support.

Semogerere also extended an olive branch to his opponent and supporters, calling for unity within the PWD community. He urged all stakeholders to set aside political differences and work collectively for the development and well-being of persons with disabilities across the district.

Responding to the allegations of bribery, Edson Turyahabwe dismissed the claims as “blame games”, insisting that the initiatives associated with Peace Rugambwa are ongoing community programmes that are not politically motivated.

Turyahabwe maintained that the NRM leadership in Kabale has consistently supported community empowerment initiatives, including assistance to vulnerable groups such as persons with disabilities. He denied that mattresses were distributed to influence voters and urged Ayebare to accept defeat gracefully.

“Development programs do not start and stop because of elections,” Turyahabwe said. “The support being referenced has been ongoing, and it is unfortunate that it is being politicised.”

The tightly contested race reflects growing political awareness and participation within the PWD community in Kabale district. The January tie, which saw both candidates secure equal votes, underscored the divided support base and heightened the stakes for the rerun.

The election, held at Kabale Municipal Stadium, drew attention from political actors and members of the PWD fraternity, highlighting the importance of inclusive leadership and representation at the district level.

With the re-election concluded, local leaders are calling for reconciliation and renewed focus on addressing the pressing concerns of persons with disabilities. Key issues include access to healthcare, education, mobility aids, livelihood support and stronger enforcement of disability-inclusive policies.

Observers note that while electoral disputes are not uncommon, the priority moving forward should be strengthening unity among PWD leaders to ensure that advocacy efforts remain focused and effective.

As Semogerere prepares to assume office, expectations within the PWD community remain high. Whether the controversy surrounding the election will persist or give way to collaboration will largely depend on how leaders from both sides engage in the days ahead.

For now, the official results stand, marking the end of a competitive race that has not only determined a district representative but also sparked a broader conversation about fairness, transparency and empowerment within Kabale’s PWD community.