In a dramatic turn of events that has sent shockwaves through Kampala’s political landscape, the High Court has nullified the election of Hon. Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, the embattled Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North, citing gross electoral irregularities and outright violations of the law.
Justice Bernard Namanya, delivering the landmark ruling, tore into the legitimacy of the March 2025 by-election, declaring it a flawed exercise that denied over 16,000 citizens their constitutional right to vote — including NRM candidate and petitioner Hon. Nambi Faridah Kigongo. “The court cannot turn a blind eye when thousands of voters are locked out of the democratic process,” the judge stated. “This was not a free and fair election.”
But the bombshell didn’t stop there, Justice Namanya revealed that Nalukoola himself actively campaigned on polling day — a blatant offense under Section 100 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, and a move the court said tainted the entire process.
“He campaigned at polling stations like Mbogo Primary School Playground and Kazo Angola LCI Office — that’s not just irregular, it’s illegal,” Namanya emphasized.
The verdict:
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Nalukoola’s election is officially set aside.
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The Kawempe North parliamentary seat is declared vacant.
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The Electoral Commission has been ordered to organize a fresh election.
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Each party is to bear its own legal costs.
This ruling follows a high-stakes petition by NRM and Hon. Nambi Faridah Kigongo, who accused the Electoral Commission of failing to account for votes from multiple polling stations, effectively disenfranchising tens of thousands of eligible voters. They also alleged voter bribery, illegal canvassing, and intimidation of polling officials by Nalukoola’s camp.
The now-nullified Kawempe North by-election was itself a rerun — the original 2021 victory of NUP’s Muhammad Ssegirinya was also thrown out due to irregularities. Nalukoola, also backed by National Unity Platform (NUP), rode into office amid heavy security deployment, mounting tension, and accusations from the opposition of state interference and voter intimidation.
With the court ruling now out, political eyes turn sharply to the Electoral Commission, which is expected to unveil a new roadmap in the coming weeks.
One thing is clear: Kawempe North is heading back to the polls — and the stakes have never been higher.
