The Electoral Commission has finally gazetted Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as Kawempe North’s legitimate MP-elect, ending a tense political standoff that exposed cracks in Uganda’s electoral process.
The March 24th, 2025 Uganda Gazette publication confirms what voters decided on March 13th – but the path to this moment was anything but smooth.
By the Numbers: A Dominant Win Despite Obstacles
Nalukoola’s 17,939 votes (nearly double NRM’s Faridah Nambi’s revised 9,058) proved insurmountable, though not without drama:
- Nambi’s votes mysteriously increased from initial 8,593 tally
- UPDF soldiers reportedly deployed during election period
- 11-day gazetting delay sparked threats to storm UPPC offices
Behind the Delay
Sources reveal the holdup stemmed from:
- Security concerns after Nalukoola demanded UPDF withdrawal
- NRM’s internal audit of Nambi’s shockingly low numbers
- Last-minute EC verification of revised vote counts
“They wanted to find any technicality to nullify this,” claimed a NUP insider who spoke anonymously.
What This Means for Parliament
With gazetting complete:
✔️ Nalukoola can now be sworn in
✔️ NUP gains crucial opposition voice
✔️ Kawempe North gets long-delayed representation
EC Chairman Justice Byabakama maintains the process was “transparent and by the book,” but critics point to the unusual delay in what should have been a routine procedure.
