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Faridah Nambi, the NRM candidate in the March 13, 2025 Kawempe North by-election, has suffered a setback in the petition she filed challenging the election results.
On Wednesday morning, during the preliminary hearing of the petition at the Kampala High Court, it was revealed that some witnesses she intended to rely on had decided to change their testimonies.
These reportedly alleged that they were forced to testify in support of the petition.
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The court also heard that the witnesses approached the legal team of Hon Erias Luyimbazi Nalukola, the respondent, informing them that they wished to recant their evidence in support and instead testify against Mrs Nambi.
Nambi’s lawyers of MESSRS Crane Associated Advocates, however, opposed this and asked the court not to allow the witnesses to take the stand on the grounds that they had been manipulated by Nalukoola’s team.
The respondent’s team, led by Counsel Muhammad Mbabazi, on the other hand, insisted that the witnesses need to be heard as their statements are crucial in the investigation of what transpired during the violence-marred election.
This was an election that was filled with many illegalities. The perpetrator who destroyed election materials wants to use the same to defeat the voice of the people,” said Mbabazi.
Now the coerced witnesses in support of the petition have jumped ship and decided to come to us and give us evidence retracting their forced evidence. They came to us saying they want to retract that evidence
We do not believe that such witnesses should be pushed away because at the end of the day, an election petition trial is an investigation, and we believe that it is only proper that this court investigates and determines whether these people were forced. We think that they have a right to recant their evidence.
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Court decided next week
The matter was adjourned to Monday, next week, when the court will sit to decide whether or not to allow the recanted testimony.
In the main petition, Faridah Nambi Kigongo challenges the victory of Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi in the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election.
She cited multiple irregularities and demanded a fresh election.
The petition
Nambi 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 the Electoral Commission 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.
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.