National Unity Platform (NUP) legislator Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola has formally appealed the High Court ruling that nullified his election as Member of Parliament for Kawempe North.
The decision now shifts Uganda’s political spotlight to the Court of Appeal, which could either restore his seat or cement the call for a fresh vote.
The appeal, filed within hours of the judgment, challenges Justice Bernard Namanya’s ruling that Nalukoola’s January 2025 election was tainted by illegal campaign activities and widespread voter disenfranchisement.
The High Court had ordered the Electoral Commission to organise a new election, citing violations of the Parliamentary Elections Act that “substantially affected the outcome.”
Through a coalition of top-tier law firms—including PACE Advocates and Nalukoola Advocates & Solicitors—Nalukoola expressed his dissatisfaction with the entire decision.
“Take notice that the appellant, Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola, is dissatisfied with the judgment… and intends to appeal… against the entire decision,” reads the Notice of Appeal.
The ruling stunned many within NUP, especially considering Nalukoola had only been in office for two months. His swift legal response reflects the high stakes involved—not just for his political future, but for the broader battle over electoral accountability in Uganda.
A Critical Seat in Opposition Territory
Kawempe North is no ordinary constituency. It sits deep in Kampala’s opposition stronghold, and Nalukoola’s short-lived win was seen as a crucial victory for NUP.
His platform of transparency, governance reform, and human rights had resonated with urban voters disillusioned with the status quo.
His removal has left a gap in opposition representation and unsettled his supporters. Political analysts say the outcome of this appeal could either reinforce faith in Uganda’s electoral justice or deepen public skepticism over its fairness.
The Court’s Findings and Legal Fallout
Justice Namanya found that Nalukoola had personally campaigned on polling day—an illegal act under the Parliamentary Elections Act.
He also noted that over 16,000 voters, including NRM’s Faridah Kigongo, were denied their right to vote.
Still, the judge made an unusual move by ordering each side to bear its own legal costs—a signal, some believe, of judicial sensitivity to the public interest nature of the case.
Legal minds are now watching closely. The Court of Appeal’s ruling could clarify the threshold for what constitutes election irregularities severe enough to overturn results.
Nalukoola’s team is expected to argue that the infractions were procedural—not material enough to overturn the will of Kawempe North voters.
Another Political Battle Brews
As legal proceedings unfold, political machines are revving up once more. The ruling NRM and NUP are both expected to re-mobilise supporters, anticipating either a rerun or a court-ordered reversal.
Tensions are already simmering. The next few weeks will test not only the judiciary’s independence but the resilience of Uganda’s electoral system under pressure.
If the Court of Appeal upholds the High Court’s decision, the Kawempe North race will reopen—with heightened scrutiny, tighter security, and renewed political energy.
One way or another, this appeal is no longer just about one seat—it’s about the integrity of elections in Uganda’s capital and beyond.
