NUP’s Nalukoola Emerges Victorious in Tense Kawempe North By-election
Lawyer Elias Luyimbaazi Nalukoola has been declared winner of the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election after securing a commanding victory over his rivals in Thursday’s poll. The National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate garnered 17,764 votes against National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) Faridah Nambi who managed 8,593 votes.
Official Results Declaration
The results were announced early Friday morning by Kampala district returning officer Henry Makabayi at the Electoral Commission tally centre established at Makerere University. Makabayi made the official declaration in accordance with section 72 of the Parliamentary Elections Act Cap 177.
“Having added up the votes cast as recorded on each declaration form in accordance with section 72 of the Parliamentary Elections Act Cap 177, I declare Nalukoola who has obtained the highest number of votes to be the elected candidate for Kawempe North constituency,” Makabayi stated during the announcement ceremony.
The declaration marked the end of a contentious electoral process that has drawn significant attention across the country. Political analysts note that the wide margin of over 9,000 votes reflects strong support for the opposition party in this urban constituency, which has traditionally been a stronghold for opposition politics.
The election, however, was overshadowed by disturbing reports of violence, particularly targeting journalists covering the electoral process. Multiple media professionals reported being physically assaulted, with some allegedly arrested and transported in unmarked vehicles commonly referred to as “drones” by security agencies.
The attacks prompted an unprecedented response from Uganda’s media fraternity, with several media houses collectively withdrawing their journalists from covering the by-election. Press organizations also announced a boycott of all activities involving the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF) and Police until further notice.
In response to the incidents, the government issued a statement expressing regret over the attacks on journalists, though critics have questioned the sincerity of this response[1]. Media rights advocates have characterized the incidents as part of a worrying pattern of press intimidation during electoral periods.
Beyond violence against journalists, the electoral process faced additional controversies. Nalukoola himself raised serious concerns about electoral malpractice, alleging vote buying and voter intimidation during the electoral process[1]. These claims echo concerns raised in previous Ugandan elections about the integrity of the electoral process.
Henry Kasacca, the Democratic Party (DP) candidate, took the extraordinary step of establishing a parallel tally center to independently monitor the polling process, highlighting the level of mistrust in official electoral mechanisms that has characterized Ugandan politics in recent years.
The announcement of Nalukoola’s victory has elicited diverse reactions across the political spectrum. The NUP and its supporters have described the win as “bitter-sweet,” acknowledging both the electoral success and the concerning circumstances under which it was achieved.
NUP officials emphasized that the victory came despite what they characterized as significant obstacles, including security intimidation and electoral irregularities. The result is seen as reinforcing the party’s dominance in urban constituencies, particularly in the capital Kampala.
Balaam Barugahara, a prominent supporter of the ruling NRM party, publicly contested the results, claiming that their candidate had been “cheated” in the electoral process . This response reflects the often contentious nature of electoral outcomes in Uganda’s polarized political environment.
Low Voter Turnout Reported
Election observers noted a particularly low voter turnout across the constituency, a factor that has become increasingly common in Ugandan by-elections[1]. Political analysts suggest this may reflect voter fatigue, disillusionment with the political process, or concerns about potential violence at polling stations.
Despite the low participation rate, the significant margin of victory suggests Nalukoola received a clear mandate from those who did cast their ballots. The by-election result maintains the constituency’s reputation as an opposition stronghold within the greater Kampala metropolitan area.
Political Context and Significance
The Kawempe North by-election took place against a backdrop of ongoing political tension in Uganda. It coincided with other significant political developments, including the election of Bobi Wine’s nephew as the new Makerere University guild president, suggesting continued support for opposition politics among Uganda’s youth and student population.
Additionally, discussions around a 1985 statement by President Museveni that he “became a soldier to fight for himself against state-inspired violence” have resurfaced in current political discourse, with critics noting perceived contradictions between past ideals and current governance approaches.
For the residents of Kawempe North, attention now turns to how effectively their new representative will advocate for their interests in Parliament and whether the political system will allow meaningful progress on issues affecting their daily lives. The new MP faces the challenging task of fulfilling campaign promises within Uganda’s complex political environment.
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