Kawempe North Waits No More: Nalukoola’s Swearing-In Scheduled

 Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has confirmed that Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, the National Unity Platform (NUP) winner of the Kawempe North by-election, will be sworn in on Wednesday, March 26, 2024, at 12 noon. This announcement follows the official gazetting of the election results by the Electoral Commission (EC), ending a period of uncertainty.

“I have received official communication from the Electoral Commission along with a copy of the gazetted results,” Speaker Among stated on her X (formerly Twitter) account. “I will proceed to swear in the Member of Parliament-elect for Kawempe North in my chambers tomorrow at noon. I would like to congratulate Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi on his victory.”

The swearing-in comes after a notable delay in the EC’s gazetting of the results, a process that typically proceeds swiftly after an election. This delay had prompted concerns and inquiries from Nalukoola and NUP leadership. Just a day before the Speaker’s announcement, on March 24, Nalukoola, accompanied by NUP Secretary-General Lewis Rubongoya and lawyer George Musisi, visited the EC offices seeking clarification on the gazetting timeline.

Nalukoola secured victory in the by-election with over 17,700 votes, significantly surpassing his closest competitor, Faridah Nambi, who garnered just over 9,500 votes. The by-election was triggered by the nullification of former MP Muhammad Ssegirinya’s election due to discrepancies in his academic qualifications.

The official swearing-in will enable Nalukoola to assume his parliamentary duties, representing the people of Kawempe North. The focus now shifts to his anticipated contributions in Parliament, particularly concerning the key issues that underpinned his campaign.

The public and political observers are keenly watching to see how Nalukoola will address the needs of Kawempe North and fulfill the mandate bestowed upon him by the electorate.