The High Court in Kampala has nullified the election of Hon. Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North, citing widespread irregularities that significantly undermined the integrity of the electoral process. The court further directed the Electoral Commission to organize a new election for the seat.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Bernard Namanya, the court determined that the by-election held earlier in March 2025 failed to comply with the legal standards set out in the Parliamentary Elections Act. The judge concluded that the irregularities were not only procedural but also substantial enough to have influenced the final results of the election.
Justice Namanya outlined two primary reasons for annulling the election outcome. First, the court found that over 16,000 voters, including petitioner Hon. Nambi Faridah Kigongo, were denied their right to vote due to the Electoral Commission’s failure to return results from several polling stations. This large-scale voter disenfranchisement, he noted, had a material impact on the election’s legitimacy.
Secondly, the court found credible evidence that Mr. Nalukoola engaged in illegal campaigning on election day at polling centers such as Mbogo Primary School Playground and Kazo Angola LCI Office, which is a clear violation under Sections 100(1)(a)(b), 100(2)(a), and 100(3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Cap. 177).
Quoting the official judgment, Justice Namanya declared:
“The election of Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola as the Directly Elected Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North constituency in Kampala District is hereby set aside.”
The judge further ruled that the seat be declared vacant and instructed the Electoral Commission to hold a fresh election to fill the vacancy. Each party involved in the case was directed to bear its own legal costs.
Petition Background
The decision followed a petition filed by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and its candidate Hon. Nambi Faridah Kigonogo, who challenged the credibility of the March by-election. The petition alleged numerous irregularities, including voter bribery, unlawful campaigning, and disruption of the voting process by agents of the declared winner.
The March 2025 by-election had been ordered after the court nullified the 2021 election victory of Muhammad Ssegirinya. That race was already marked by intense political rivalry, heavy security presence, and allegations by the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP)—which backed Nalukoola—of intimidation and violence by state agencies.
With Nalukoola’s win now overturned, Kawempe North, one of Kampala’s most politically volatile constituencies, heads toward yet another high-stakes electoral contest. The Electoral Commission is expected to release a revised election roadmap in the coming weeks.
Post a Comment