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The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has expressed dissatisfaction with the results of the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election, rejecting the official outcome and announcing plans to take legal action.
The party's Central Executive Committee (CEC) met on Friday, March 14, 2025, to review the election results and discuss the allegations of malpractice and violence that marred the election process.
Allegations of Undemocratic Practices
In a statement read by NRM Secretary-General Richard Todwong, the party rejected the results of the by-election, which saw Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola of the National Unity Platform (NUP) emerge as the winner.
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Nalukoola secured 17,764 votes, defeating his closest challenger, NRM's Namabi Faridah Kigongo, who received 8,593 votes.
According to the NRM, the election was tainted by violence, intimidation, and disenfranchisement of voters.
"The acts of violence reported in several polling stations in Kawempe North were carried out by supporters and sympathisers of the NUP party," the statement read.
The NRM also expressed concern about the cancellation of election results in several polling stations, which they claimed disenfranchised around 50,000 voters.
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NRM Calls for Forensic Audit and Legal Action
The CEC resolved that the party would not accept the election results as declared by the Electoral Commission.
The NRM has called on the government to conduct a forensic audit to identify those responsible for the alleged electoral malpractice.
“The NRM calls upon the government to carry out a forensic audit to bring all the culprits who participated and messed up the election to book as soon as possible,” the statement added.
Furthermore, the NRM instructed its legal team to immediately challenge the results in court.
A Divisive Election
The Kawempe North by-election, which followed the death of former MP Muhammad Ssegirinya, was marred by violence and intimidation.
Reports of harassment and assault on journalists and opposition activists by security forces also stirred concerns.
Despite these challenges, Nalukoola's victory reaffirmed NUP's growing influence in urban areas, as the opposition party continues to dominate Kampala’s political landscape.
In his victory speech, Nalukoola dedicated his win to the late Hon. Ssegirinya, vowing to continue his legacy and fight for the rights of the people of Kawempe North.