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The Electoral Commission (EC) has reassured the public that the delayed swearing-in of Hon. Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Kawempe North, will soon be resolved.
The delay, which has sparked concerns and questions from political leaders and the electorate, was attributed to the time required to complete the gazettement process.
EC officials this morning, however, assured the National Unity Platform (NUP) that the necessary steps are being taken to finalise the process.
Speaking after a closed-door meeting with EC officials, David Rubongoya, NUP's Secretary General, confirmed that the Commission is working on the gazettement of Nalukoola and that it could be concluded at any moment.
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Reasons Behind the Delay
Rubongoya noted, in comparison to other byelections, that the swearing-in process for Nalukoola has been unusually slow.
"In many previous byelections, winners have been gazetted and sworn in within a matter of days—sometimes as quickly as 3 days.
"But in this case, there has been an unexplained delay," Rubongoya noted.
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During the meeting with the EC officials led by Chairman Justice Simon Byabakama, Rubongoya said they were informed that the Nalukoola’s name has already been forwarded to the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC).
However, the EC stated that they could not provide a specific timeframe for the gazettement, as UPPC is in charge of the final stage of the process.
Byabakama, according to Rubongoya, also mentioned that the delay had been compounded by the violence during the Kawempe North byelection, and they were awaiting a report from the returning officer before proceeding.
Nalukoola Responds to Legal Challenges
Meanwhile, Nalukoola has expressed confidence that the ongoing delays will not hinder his journey to becoming a fully sworn-in MP.
"We have heard that the NRM plans to challenge the election results in court. However, I must first be gazetted, because once that happens, any election petition would be rendered invalid and dismissed," Nalukoola explained.
"We will handle the petition when it comes. What matters now is for me to be sworn in so that I can start my duties as the MP," he added.
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Last week, the issue of Nalukoola’s delayed election made it to the floor of parliament with MPs tasking Speaker Anita Among to give an explanation.
“After a byelection, Hon Michael Mawanda (MP Igara East) was declared winner and the following day, he was sworn in,” said MP Ssemujju Nganda.
“As the head of this institution, can you let us know when Hon Nalukoola will be sworn in?”
Speaker Among in response, said she was being held back by the Electoral Commission, which has not yet gazetted Nalukoola as the winner.
“When a member wins, I wait for a gazette when I get it that is when a member is sworn in. I am waiting for a gazette. I need to hear from the electoral commission first,” she said.
The Leader of Opposion in Parliament Hon Joel Ssenyonyi weighed in on the matter, revealing that the EC has been dragging its feet on the gazetting process with no proper explanation.