Kampala, Uganda — May 26, 2025
The High Court in Kampala has nullified the election of Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North, citing major electoral irregularities. The ruling, delivered by Justice Bernard Namanya, declared the parliamentary seat vacant and ordered the Electoral Commission to conduct a fresh by-election.
In his judgment, Justice Namanya based the decision on two key issues: illegal campaigning and voter disenfranchisement. The court found that Nalukoola personally campaigned on election day at multiple polling stations, a direct violation of Uganda’s electoral laws. Additionally, the court noted that voting was disrupted in 14 polling stations, effectively disenfranchising more than 16,000 voters.
“The election of Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola is hereby set aside,” Justice Namanya declared. “A fresh election shall be conducted for the Kawempe Division North constituency.”
The ruling followed a petition filed by Faridah Nambi, a candidate from the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who was the runner-up in the March 2025 by-election. The petition alleged multiple electoral offenses including intimidation of voters, obstruction of election officials, and the failure of the Electoral Commission to account for results from several polling stations. These claims were upheld by the court, which determined that the irregularities had a significant impact on the outcome of the election.
The Electoral Commission was also faulted for its handling of the election. According to the judgment, the Commission failed to take adequate steps to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, especially after the disruptions that led to the loss of electoral materials in several polling stations. The court emphasized that the Commission should have postponed voting or counting in affected areas instead of proceeding under compromised conditions.
Nalukoola, a prominent human rights lawyer and vocal critic of the government, had been elected on March 13, 2025, in a hotly contested by-election following the death of former MP Muhammad Ssegirinya. Running on the National Unity Platform (NUP) ticket, Nalukoola won the seat with a commanding lead, positioning himself as a strong voice on governance, police brutality, and electoral reform in Parliament.
Reacting to the judgment, Nalukoola announced his intention to appeal the decision, calling the ruling “absurd” and expressing hope that the Court of Appeal would overturn it. He reaffirmed his commitment to representing the people of Kawempe North and promised to continue advocating for democratic values.
The National Unity Platform also issued a strong response, condemning the ruling as politically motivated and unjust. The party’s leadership expressed deep concern over what they described as an ongoing pattern of targeting opposition lawmakers through the courts. They vowed to support Nalukoola in his appeal and maintain their campaign for electoral justice.
“This is a dark day for democracy,” one party official stated. “The will of the people is being undermined by judicial decisions that favor the regime.”
The nullification of Nalukoola’s election is likely to intensify political tensions, especially in opposition strongholds. As the country awaits a fresh by-election, the spotlight will remain on both the Electoral Commission and the judiciary, whose impartiality continues to be scrutinized by political observers and civil society.
The Electoral Commission is expected to issue a roadmap for the new election in the coming weeks. Meanwhile, NUP has reiterated its readiness to return to the campaign trail and reclaim what it calls a stolen mandate.
As the legal battle moves to the Court of Appeal, both sides are preparing for what could be a defining moment in Uganda’s post-election legal landscape.
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