The High Court has nullified the election of Erias Luyimbaazi Nalukoola as Kawempe North MP, following a successful petition by NRM’s Faridah Nambi Kigongo.
Nambi challenged Nalukoola’s win in the March 13 by-election, citing serious irregularities — including the failure by the Electoral Commission to count votes from 15 polling stations. Reports from election day claimed that security operatives raided multiple polling stations, disrupting the vote-counting process and destroying materials.
Justice Benard Namanya, who delivered his ruling via email, agreed with the petitioner and set aside Nalukoola’s election, declaring the Kawempe North seat vacant. He also ordered the Electoral Commission to organize fresh elections immediately.
The March by-election, which followed the death of former MP Muhammad Ssegirinya (famously known as Mr. Update), was marked by heavy military presence and violent incidents across Kawempe. Despite the tension, Nalukoola emerged the winner with 17,000 votes, while Nambi came second with around 9,000 votes.
The rest of the field trailed far behind:
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Muhammad Luwemba Luswa, Ssegirinya’s former aide, received fewer than 300 votes
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Singer-turned-politician Aga Naga got 200 votes
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Comic and perennial candidate Moses Nsereko finished last with just 32 votes
If Nalukoola chooses not to appeal the ruling, his time in Parliament will come to a record-short two months. But if he does appeal — and considering the notoriously slow pace of the Court of Appeal — he could technically remain in office for much longer, possibly even till the end of the term.
