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NRM's Faridah Nambi flanked by Nalukoola and independent Muhamood Mutazindwa, addressing the congregation at the Kawempe Mbogo mosque during Jumah prayers (Photo by Milton Niinga)
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By Milton Niinga
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer in the Kawempe North Constituency by-election, Faridah Nambi, has come to terms with her defeat and congratulated Elias Nalukoola of the National Unity Platform (NUP) on his victory. Nalukoola won the by-election to replace the late legislator, Mohammad Ssegirinya, after securing 17,764 votes, defeating Nambi, who garnered only 8,593 votes, according to the Kawempe Electoral Commission (EC) Returning Officer, Henry Makabayi. However, his swearing-in remains uncertain due to ongoing political tensions.
“Results from 15 polling stations were not returned due to the destruction of voting materials at Kazo Angola and other polling stations,” Makabayi stated before declaring Nalukoola the winner.
During Jummah prayers at Kawempe Mbogo Mosque, Nambi publicly acknowledged her defeat but vowed to challenge the election results in court.
“It’s okay if we can shake hands. Based on the EC results, I congratulate him, but I am heading to court to contest his alleged victory due to electoral violence,” she said.
NRM's Faridah Nambi addressing the congregation with her stunning conglaturatory speech at the Kawempe Mbogo mosque during Jumah prayers (Photo by Milton Niinga)
Nambi was not the only candidate to openly congratulate Nalukoola. Henry Mubiru Kasacca of the Democratic Party (DP) and independent candidate Muhamood Mutazindwa, also known as Sweet Cake, extended their congratulations.
“Let Nalukoola, my brother, be sworn in because he defeated us by an overwhelming margin,” Mutazindwa admitted.
However, Mutazindwa also criticized the NRM’s handling of the election.
“NRM should stop abusing democracy. Nambi had no votes, and President Yoweri Museveni was welcomed by strangers ferried from Western Uganda to attend her rally in Kawempe. The truth must be told,” he claimed.
Nambi questions heavy deployment
Nambi raised concerns about the massive security deployment during the election, arguing that it worked against her campaign.
“My biggest concern was the security deployment, where many journalists were beaten. I had absolutely nothing to do with it, but it worked against me—even as an NRM candidate. If you silence the eyes and ears of the public, whose side are you really on?” Nambi questioned.
She blamed her loss on election violence, allegedly orchestrated by joint security forces of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) and the police, who deployed Mambas (armored personnel carriers) that intimidated voters.
“It is unfortunate that many voters were beaten. We plan to petition for reforms in the electoral process,” Nambi stated.
NRM's Faridah Nambi kneeling before Nalukoola who was speaking during Jumah prayers at Kawempe Mbogo Mosque in Kampala (Photo by Milton Niinga)
Call for electoral reforms to end militarization
Listing the reasons for her loss, Nambi emphasized the need for electoral reforms ahead of the 2026 general elections.
“Electoral reforms have been demanded by various political actors for the last 14 years, yet they have never been implemented. We must push for these changes if we are to strengthen democracy in this country,” she argued.
Nambi’s defeat has fueled concerns about the ruling party’s declining influence in Kampala and the central region, especially with the 2026 elections approaching.
In 2016, the Supreme Court, led by Chief Justice Bart Katureebe, issued guidelines on electoral reforms, including: Addressing the militarization of elections, extending the time for filing and determining presidential election petitions from 30 to 60 days, and enhancing transparency in campaign financing.
However, other proposed reforms—such as preventing security personnel from voting before the general public and banning cameras and phones from polling stations—were ignored.
Nalukoola criticizes EC over delayed swearing-in
Nalukoola has criticized the Electoral Commission (EC) for delaying his swearing-in as the elected Member of Parliament for Kawempe North. He warned that if the delay persists, he may take legal action.
“The EC’s delay is unjustified and amounts to denying the people their rightful representation. I defeated Nambi by a significant margin—even with President Yoweri Museveni’s backing and the partisan deployment of UPDF soldiers, which intimidated voters,” he said.
“If the EC continues to frustrate the will of the people, I will go to court. I understand the rule of law and democracy,” he added.
He also accused the NRM government of trying to manipulate the election process.
“The days of the National Resistance Army (NRA) regime’s haphazard way of doing things are over. They arrested my supporters, threatened me, and even attempted to bring pre-ticked ballots to polling stations—but our foot soldiers stopped them,” Nalukoola claimed.
Erias Nalukoola with a mammoth crowd of NUP supporters during the campaigns (Photo by Milton Niinga)
EC responds to swearing-in delays
The EC Spokesperson, Julius Mucunguzi, responded to the criticism, stating that the commission is still within the legally prescribed timeframe to gazette Nalukoola’s victory.
“Section 58 of the law states that the returning officer has up to seven days to submit a report to the commission after an election. We still have 48 hours to publish and gazette the by-election results,” Mucunguzi explained.
An EC insider, speaking anonymously, revealed that Nalukoola’s victory remains controversial due to missing votes.
“Actually, the EC is being blamed for declaring him the winner when votes from 17 polling stations were not counted. Some people want a recount, yet they know that security forces destroyed the ballot boxes,” the source disclosed.
The EC has until Monday to gazette Nalukoola, after which he will officially assume his duties as MP for Kawempe North. However, a reliable source has indicated that his swearing-in may be further delayed.
Torch Media Africa
