Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola has officially been sworn in as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe North. The swearing-in ceremony took place earlier today in the Speaker’s Chambers.
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
Following the swearing in, Nalukoola requested that when the sitting resumes, that he is accorded an opportunity to communicate to Parliament and the nation about the state of affairs of Kawempe North constituency, which has not been represented substantively for so long.
“I will make a request that we be accorded some more minutes, those which have not been used by our beloved, Muhammad Ssegirinya. Indeed, the people of Kawempe North will be so grateful, because even as we talk now, we are suffering from floods, among other predicaments,” Nalukoola said.
Speaker Among agreed to allocate Nalukoola more time for speaking noting, “When the House resumes, we will give you space. Because truth be told, they’ve not been represented for some time, because Ssegirinya was sick for some time, and they were deprived of representation. Welcome to 11th Parliament.”
Speaker Among also defended the decision to have Nalukoola take oath in the Speaker’s Chambers as opposed to the Chambers as most MPs that join Parliament after by-elections, saying Nalukoola isn’t the first MPs to take oath in the Speaker’s Chambers as there are two previous MPs that have done so.
“Please take note that subscribing to the oath of allegiance and oath of Member of Parliament can either be in the chambers when the House is in session or it can be in the Speaker’s Chambers when the House is in recess. We wouldn’t want to deprive the good people of Kawempe representation because the House is on recess, and aware that we called off the House to allow Committees handle the ministerial policy statements, so we found it fit that we swear you in so that you are able to benefit from what you ought to benefit,” Among said.
On March 13, Nalukoola was declared the winner of the Kawempe North by-election. The announcement was made by Makabayi Henry, the returning officer for Kampala City, after Nalukoola secured 17,764 votes.
The Speaker also instructed the Clerk to Parliament, Adolf Mwesige to ensure that Nalukoola receives all benefits entitled to him as MP noting, “I will instruct that after this, you will provide the MP all his benefits including a car, even if he is going to be here for only a short time.”
he 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.
