High Court Nullifies Elias Nalukoola’s Election as Kawempe North MP

The High Court in Kampala has annulled the election of Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe North and has directed the Electoral Commission to organize a new by-election.

The ruling follows a petition filed by Faridah Nambi Kigongo, the National Resistance Movement (NRM). In her petition, Kigongo cited numerous irregularities during the electoral process, including instances of voter intimidation, ballot stuffing, and procedural violations. These, she argued, compromised the credibility of the election in which Luyimbazi, representing the National Unity Platform, was declared the winner.

The court's decision has drawn mixed reactions from the public. Supporters of Kigongo welcomed the verdict, describing it as a step toward ensuring electoral accountability, while Luyimbazi’s legal team has announced plans to appeal the judgment.

Although the Electoral Commission has not yet announced the date for the by-election, it has been instructed to begin preparations without delay. This case adds to a growing list of election-related legal battles in Uganda, low line persistent concerns about electoral transparency and fairness.

The by-election was initially triggered by the death of the former MP, Muhammad Ssegirinya who passed at Rubaga Hospital after a prolonged illness.

Ssegirinya had represented Kawempe North since 2021. The March by-election saw 10 candidates compete, but it was marred by allegations of irregularities, including ballot stuffing, voter intimidation, violence, and destruction of ballot boxes at different polling stations.