The High Court in Kampala has annulled the election of Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as MP for Kawempe Division North. The nullifying of Nalukoola’s election follows a petitioned filed by Faridah Nambi, the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Nambi challenged the outcome of the parliamentary by-election for Kawempe Division North held on 13 March 2025, citing election offences and non-compliance with the Parliamentary Elections Act.
Justice Bernard Namanya found that 16,640 voters were disenfranchised when the Electoral Commission failed to tally results from 14 polling stations following disruptions, in violation of Sections 64, 71, and 76.
The Court further held that Nalukoola Elias Luyimbazi, personally campaigned on polling day at two stations, contravening Section 100. These irregularities were found to have affected the result in a substantial manner. Consequently, the Court nullified the election, declared the seat vacant, and ordered a fresh election under Sections 80 and 82 of the Act. Each party was ordered to bear its own costs. Court declared the parliamentary seat vacant due to illegal campaign activities and widespread voter disenfranchisement.
Electoral Commission had declared that Nalukoola won the by-election after defeating his closest rival, Faridah Nambi of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who secured 8,593 votes.
He defeated his closest rival, Faridah Nambi of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who garnered 8,593 votes. Other candidates in the race included: Henry Kasacca (Democratic Party – DP) – 100 votes; Sadat Mukiibi (Aganaga) (Forum for Democratic Change – FDC) – 239 votes and Ismail Musiitwa (People’s Progressive Party – PPP) – 39 votes.
Several independent candidates: Hanifah Karadi – 381 votes; Muhamood Mutazindwa – 186 votes; Muhammed Lusswa Luwemba – 240 votes; Moses Nsereko – 32 votes and Henry Stanley Maitum, the son of former President Milton Obote – 22 votes.
The Kawempe North parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of MP Muhammad Ssegirinya on January 9, 2025, at Lubaga Hospital, where he had been admitted with undisclosed health complications. His health had been a matter of concern for some time.
In October 2023, Ssegirinya was discharged from UMC Hospital in Amsterdam, Netherlands, where he had been receiving treatment. A month later, he was admitted to Nsambya Hospital in Uganda for lung-related complications. He later revealed that he had been battling skin cancer, hypertension, and lung infections. His condition worsened in January 2024, leading to his admission at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi, Kenya.
During his tenure in Parliament, Ssegirinya faced several challenges. In 2021, he and Makindye West MP Allan Ssewanyana were arrested on charges of murder, terrorism, and aiding and abetting terrorism in connection with a series of killings in the Greater Masaka region.
The two MPs, along with four other suspects, were accused of involvement in multiple murders, including Joseph Bwanika (Kisekka Village, Lwengo District), Francis Mugerwa Kiiza, Sulaiman Kakooza and Tadeo Kiyimba (Masaka City).
Prosecutors also alleged that they attempted to kill Ronald Ssebyoto and were involved in financing the attacks.
After 524 days in prison, Ssegirinya and Ssewanyana were granted bail on February 13, 2023, by Masaka High Court Judge Lawrence Tweyanze, each posting Shs 20 million in bail.
Ssegirinya’s passing marked the end of a tumultuous political journey, paving the way for the by-election that saw Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola emerge victorious.
