KAMPALA, Uganda The National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate in the Kawempe North by-election has filed a court petition challenging the victory of Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, alleging electoral offenses and irregularities.
Faridah Nambi Kigongo filed the petition with the High Court Civil Division on Saturday, naming Nalukoola, the newly elected Member of Parliament, and the Electoral Commission as respondents.
Nambi claims the election was marred by campaigning on Election Day, obstruction of election officials and voters, and bribery.
Court documents state Nambi contends there was “non-compliance with the provisions laid down in the Parliamentary Elections Act” that “affected the result of the election in a substantial manner.”
Nambi accuses Nalukoola and his supporters of campaigning on election day by uttering phrases such as “Ye nze Nalukoola” (It is I, Nalukoola), obstructing election officials and voters, and bribing voters with money.
The court documents allege that on election day, Nalukoola’s agents, including Julius Mutebi, Mathias Walukagga, and musician-turned-politician Kiyaga Hillary (also known as “De. Hilderman”), obstructed election officers at the Kazo Angola (NAKK-NAMAS) at Bosa’s Road polling station. They are accused of invading the polling station, directing election officials, and checking voter registers despite not being designated polling agents there.
Nambi also accuses the Electoral Commission of failing to return results from 14 polling stations with a total of 16,640 registered voters, alleging non-compliance with election laws.
Through her lawyers, Nambi is seeking a court declaration that the election did not comply with the Parliamentary Elections Act and that this non-compliance significantly affected the outcome. She is also asking the court to nullify Nalukoola’s election, order a new election, and recommend the prosecution of Nalukoola and his agents for alleged offenses. Nambi is also seeking costs for the petition and other court reliefs.
Nambi received 9,058 votes, while Nalukoola won with 17,939 votes, a difference of approximately 8,881 votes. Nambi argues that the 16,640 disenfranchised voters could have significantly impacted the result.
