Uganda’s Electoral Commission (EC) has finally gazetted National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Elias Nalukoola Luyimbaazi as the Kawempe North MP, paving way for his swearing-in ceremony which had hitherto been hanging in balance. But the gazette notice has raised questions after the number of votes for most candidates changed, leaving many asking how and why these magic votes came about.
The publication of the notice in the Uganda Gazette followed complaints by a section of lawmakers who joined the leader of Opposition (LoP), Joel Ssenyonyi, last week and pressed Speaker Anita Among to explain to them why Nalukoola who comfortably won the Kwempe North by-election on March 13, 2025 had not taken oath to fully replace the late Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Speaker Among told MPs that Nalukoola’s name had not been published in the gazette and that, therefore, the NUP member could not be sworn in as dictated by law.
It is in this regard that Speaker Among instructed the Attorney General, Kiryowa Kiwanuka, to follow up and ensure that Nalukoola is sworn in as the Kawempe North MP.
And on March 24, the push paid off as the Kawempe North by-election results were published in the gazette.
“Notice is hereby given by Electoral Commission that the results for the Parliamentary by-election for the Directly Elected Member of Parliament, Kawempe Division North, Kampala Capital City in the Schedule to this Notice is hereby published in accordance with Section 78 (I) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap.177,” read part of the Gazette notice signed by EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama.
NUP officials celebrated the development but observed changes in the number of votes for most candidates.
“Hon. Nalukoola Erias Luyimbazi finally gazetted! We shall soon seek an explanation from the Electoral Commission why the results in the original Tally Sheet are different from the ones in the Gazette,” wrote NUP secretary general David Lewis Rubongoya.
“We can only hope that all these machinations are not intended to create a case for the losing NRM candidate where there is none! Thanks all who raised voices and put pressure!”
Nalukoola who had 17,764, now has 17,939 votes; followed by Faridah Nambi Kigongo of NRM who was the second with 8,593, now with 9,058; Edward Stanley Engena-Maitum Independent candidate 22-23; Henry Mubiru Kasacca DP 100-100; Lusswa Luwemba Muhammad Independent contestant 240-241; Sadat Mukiibi of FDC 239-243; Hanifah Karandi Murerwa 381-389; Ismail Musiitwa of PPP 39-39; Muhamood Mutazindwa Independent 186-188; and Moses Nsereko 32-32, respectively.
The electoral process was conducted under war zone-like heavy military deployment with pronounced brutality unleashed on journalists that were deployed to cover the exercise.
Museveni’s NRM said they would challenge the results in court of law.
Meanwhile, the leadership of NUP has hit back at the ruling NRM, saying they are ready to face them in court should they challenge the results of the Kawempe North by-election.
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