Kampala, Uganda – May 26, 2025.
The High Court in Kampala has annulled the election of Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe North, declaring the seat vacant and ordering the Electoral Commission (EC) to organize a fresh by-election. The ruling, delivered by Justice Bernard Namanya, comes after a successful petition by National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Faridah Nambi Kigongo, who challenged Nalukoola’s victory in the March 2025 by-election, citing multiple electoral irregularities.
Court Findings and Allegations
Justice Namanya ruled that the by-election did not comply with the provisions of the Parliamentary Elections Act, pointing to illegal campaign activities and widespread voter disenfranchisement. According to court documents, Nalukoola, a National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, allegedly campaigned on election day at Mbogo Primary School Playground and Kazo Angola, actions that violated electoral laws. Additionally, Nambi’s petition highlighted that 16,640 voters were denied their right to vote, a figure significant enough to impact the election outcome, given Nalukoola’s winning margin of approximately 8,000 votes (17,764 votes to Nambi’s 9,058).
The petition also accused Nalukoola and his agents of voter bribery. For instance, court records detailed an incident where Ben Ntale Mukasa, a Kawempe Division Councilor aligned with NUP, allegedly gave UGX 5,000 to a voter, Mawumbe George William, to influence his vote at Clinton Junior School polling station. Similar claims were made about another voter, Wamukubira Geoffrey, at Pentecostal Church polling station. The court found these malpractices, combined with disruptions at 14 polling stations, substantially affected the election’s integrity.
Electoral Commission’s Response
In a statement following the ruling, the Electoral Commission announced it would not appeal the court’s decision. Speaking to Nile Post, EC spokesperson Paul Bukenya said, “We respect the court’s ruling in the Kawempe North by-election case. The commission will not appeal the decision and will immediately begin preparations to organize a fresh election as directed by the court.” Bukenya emphasized the EC’s commitment to ensuring a free and fair electoral process in the upcoming by-election, stating, “We shall work diligently to address the concerns raised by the court and ensure that the next election adheres to all legal standards.”
The Kawempe North by-election, held in March 2025, was a rerun following the nullification of Muhammad Ssegirinya’s 2021 election. The constituency, a stronghold of the opposition NUP, has been a hotspot for political rivalry, with the by-election marred by allegations of violence, voter intimidation, and heavy security deployment. NUP supporters, including Nalukoola’s agents Julius Mutebi, Mathias Walukagga, and Hon. Kiyaga Hillary (Dr. Hilderman), were reportedly arrested on election day, further escalating tensions.
What’s Next for Kawempe North?
The court’s decision marks the latest chapter in Kawempe North’s contentious political history. With the EC preparing for a fresh by-election, all eyes will be on how the commission addresses the issues of voter disenfranchisement, security, and electoral transparency. Political analysts anticipate another heated contest, given the constituency’s strategic importance in Kampala and the broader national political landscape ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Nambi, who previously warned that unchecked electoral fraud could jeopardize the 2026 polls, reiterated her call for integrity in the process. “This petition isn’t just about me—it’s about safeguarding the integrity of all future elections,” she told Nile Post after an earlier court session on May 21, 2025. For Nalukoola and NUP, the focus will likely shift to mobilizing support while navigating the legal and political challenges posed by the ruling.
As Kawempe North braces for another electoral battle, the outcome of this by-election could serve as a litmus test for Uganda’s democratic processes and the opposition’s ability to challenge the NRM’s dominance in the capital.
