By Kabuye Ronald
The High Court in Kampala has nullified the election of Hon. Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North and directed the Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh election.
In a ruling delivered by Justice Bernard Namanya, the court found that the Electoral Commission failed to comply with provisions of the Parliamentary Elections Act during the March 13, 2025 by-election. The judge concluded that the irregularities significantly affected the final outcome of the vote.
“Therefore, in accordance with Sections 80 and 82 of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Cap. 177), I order as follows: The election of Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola as a Directly Elected Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North constituency in Kampala District is set aside. The seat is hereby declared vacant,” Justice Namanya ruled.
The court also established that 16,640 voters including Ms. Nambi Faridah Kigongo, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate were disenfranchised. The judge stated that the denial of voting rights to such a significant number of constituents had a substantial impact on the election result.
Further, the ruling noted that Mr. Nalukoola breached electoral laws by personally campaigning on election day at polling stations including Mbogo Primary School Playground (KAT – MAJ) and Kazo Angola (KAL – KZ) LCI Office. Justice Namanya cited violations under Section 100 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which prohibits campaign activities on polling day.
As a result, the court annulled Nalukoola’s victory and ordered the Electoral Commission to organize a new election for the Kawempe Division North seat.
