The Electoral Commission of Uganda says it is on standby, waiting for formal communication from Parliament before it can issue a roadmap for a by-election in Kalangala District following the death of Woman MP-elect Hellen Nakimuli.
Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama said the Commission cannot take any action until it receives an official notice from the Clerk to Parliament, as required under electoral law.
Nakimuli, who was both the sitting Woman Member of Parliament and MP-elect for the next term, died on Sunday evening after undergoing surgery at Alexandra Medical Centre in Kampala.
Byabakama explained that the Constitution requires any parliamentary vacancy arising from death, resignation, or court ruling to be formally communicated to the Commission by the Clerk to Parliament within 10 days.
“As the Commission, we are waiting for official communication from the Clerk to Parliament. Once that is received, we shall be able to lay out the roadmap for the by-election in accordance with the law,” he said.
He added that once notified, the Electoral Commission is required to conduct a by-election within 60 days.
Byabakama noted that Nakimuli’s case presents an unusual electoral and legal situation. She was still serving her current parliamentary term, which runs until 12 May, while simultaneously having been elected for the next term.
This creates a gap in representation for Kalangala District, as the constituency will enter the next Parliament without a Woman MP until a by-election is held.
He further clarified that due to the limited time remaining in the current term, it is practically impossible to organize a by-election before Parliament’s tenure ends.
The EC Chairperson described the situation as unfortunate but stressed that the Commission is strictly guided by constitutional procedures and statutory timelines.
He said the body remains ready to act immediately once the required notification is received, but cannot proceed outside the legal framework.
“The Commission remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional obligation to ensure representation once all procedures are completed,” Byabakama said.
