National Unity Platform (NUP) president Robert Kyagulanyi, popularly known as Bobi Wine, has issued a sharp warning to President Yoweri Museveni, accusing his regime of manipulating the judiciary to weaken the opposition.
This follows the High Court’s decision to nullify the election of NUP’s Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as Kawempe North Member of Parliament.
“Judge Namanya Bernard might overturn Hon. Nalukoola’s election victory, but Museveni must know that he can never stop the wheels of change,” Bobi Wine said in a strongly worded statement issued Monday.
Earlier that day, the High Court in Kampala ruled that Nalukoola’s January 2025 by-election win was tainted by illegal campaign activity on polling day and voter disruptions at more than a dozen polling stations.
Justice Namanya declared the results null and void and ordered the Electoral Commission to organise a fresh election.
Nalukoola, a human rights lawyer and outspoken government critic, has since filed an appeal.
Opposition Cries Foul: “A Systematic Effort”
The decision has sparked outrage within the NUP, with party leaders decrying what they describe as a growing pattern of judicial bias.
NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya branded the ruling “a day of infamy,” accusing the judiciary of eroding public trust.
“The judiciary continues to be used to silence the voices of change,” Rubongoya posted on X.
Analysts and activists alike warn that the ruling may be part of a larger trend. In recent years, several opposition electoral victories have been overturned in court—often on grounds critics say are overly technical and applied selectively.
“The nullification of Nalukoola’s win is not happening in isolation,” said one analyst. “We are seeing a systematic effort to use legal technicalities to shrink opposition space and reverse democratic gains.”
NUP: This Is Bigger Than One Seat
For NUP, the stakes go far beyond Kawempe North. The party argues that the ruling subverts the will of voters in Kampala’s opposition-dominated constituencies and undermines the democratic process.
Nalukoola’s election followed the death of fellow NUP MP Muhammad Ssegirinya and was seen as a reaffirmation of support for the party’s ideals in one of its most loyal urban bastions.
“This is about more than Nalukoola,” Rubongoya added. “It’s about defending democracy from creeping authoritarianism disguised in court judgments.”
Nalukoola: I Will Not Back Down
Speaking after filing his appeal, Nalukoola expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would reverse what he called an “absurd decision.”
“I remain committed to the people of Kawempe North and to fighting injustice in all its forms,” he said.
Legal proceedings are expected to begin in the coming months, amid increased scrutiny of the judiciary’s role in Uganda’s post-election political landscape.
What’s Next for Kawempe North?
With the possibility of a fresh election looming, the ruling NRM and NUP are preparing for renewed mobilisation. The decision has reignited debates around judicial independence, electoral integrity, and the shrinking space for opposition in Uganda.
As Bobi Wine’s warning echoes across the political landscape, one thing is clear: Kawempe North is once again a frontline in Uganda’s battle for democracy.
