Electoral Commission Gazettes Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as Kawempe North MP, Ending 11-Day Tension

The Electoral Commission has officially gazetted Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as the Member of Parliament-elect for Kawempe North, marking the end of an 11-day period of heightened political tension within the National Unity Platform (NUP). The Gazette, published today in the Uganda Gazette, formally confirms Nalukoola’s victory in the recent parliamentary by-election.

Nalukoola secured his win with 17,939 votes, decisively defeating his closest competitor, Faridah Nambi of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who received 9,058 votes. Notably, Ms. Nambi’s final tally represents a revised figure from the initially announced 8,593 votes, reflecting a subsequent recount.

The official gazetting of Nalukoola’s victory clears the path for his swearing-in ceremony and his formal induction into Parliament. This development follows a period of uncertainty and anxiety, as delays in the gazetting process prompted Nalukoola to threaten direct action, including a potential visit to the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) to demand clarification.

Nalukoola’s concerns were addressed after a meeting with the Electoral Commission, where officials confirmed that his election results had been submitted to UPPC for publication. This resolution comes amidst earlier allegations by Nalukoola regarding the presence of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers in Kawempe North, whom he accused of intimidation and interference during the electoral process.

“Today marks a significant milestone in the democratic process for Kawempe North,” stated Electoral Commission Chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama. “The publication of the full results in the Uganda Gazette officially concludes the electoral process, and we congratulate Mr Nalukoola on his victory.”

The publication of the gazette now paves the way for Nalukoola to take his oath of office, representing a crucial moment in the political landscape of Uganda. The 11-day delay caused much concern among his supporters, and the NUP party, who were anxious to see the results officially gazetted. The swift resolution of this issue, and the official publication of the results have been welcomed by all parties.