The Electoral Commission (EC) has filed its defence in response to a petition by Faridah Nambi Kigongo, challenging the victory of Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi in the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election.
In its response filed at the High court, the Commission denied all allegations of electoral malpractice in the March 13, 2025, by-election, asserting that the election was conducted in accordance with the Constitution and the Parliamentary Elections Act.
The EC maintains that the process was free, fair, and transparent, contrary to claims by Nambi. The Commission gazetted Nalukoola as the duly elected MP with 17,939 votes against Nambi’s 9,058.
Dissatisfied with the results, Nambi petitioned the court two weeks ago, citing multiple irregularities and demanding a fresh election. Nambi accuses the Commission named as the second respondent of disenfranchising voters at 14 polling stations whose results were allegedly excluded from the final tally.
She alleges that Nalukoola campaigned on polling day at stations such as Mbogo Primary School Playground, where he addressed voters, chanted political slogans, and influenced them to vote in his favour.
The petition further claims that EC failed in several key areas, including ensuring a secure voting environment, accurately counting votes, keeping electoral materials safe, and transparently transmitting results.
Nambi contends that the Commission’s failure to comply with electoral laws disenfranchised thousands of voters, including herself. However, in its defence, supported by an affidavit from the returning officer Henry Makabayi, the Commission insists all processes were properly followed and the results declared were based on verified data in the presence of agents, candidates, police, and other stakeholders.
The EC’s legal team, led by Eric Sabiiti, has dismissed the petition as “frivolous” and lacking merit, arguing that any alleged irregularities did not affect the final election outcome.
Sabiiti told URN that more evidence would soon be filed to demonstrate that Nambi’s petition was “dead on arrival.”
Nambi also alleges that Nalukoola and his agents engaged in widespread voter bribery. She cites multiple instances where money and goods including bread, salt, soap, and tea were distributed to voters such as Mary Diana Kibuka, George William Mawumbe, and Geoffrey Wamukubira.
In one dramatic account, she claims that under a jackfruit tree near a shrine in Kiganda Zone, a National Unity Platform (NUP) councillor handed Shs 5,000 to a voter to sway their decision.
Nalukoola himself is alleged to have directly given out Shs 5,000 and Shs 10,000 to voters in separate incidents. Nambi argues that these actions, committed by Nalukoola or his agents with his knowledge and approval, amounted to illegal practices under the Parliamentary Elections Act and warrant the annulment of his victory.
The court has not yet set a hearing date, pending responses from all parties. Nalukoola, who recently enlisted the services of nine law firms, is expected to file his defence soon.