Opposition Members of Parliament have raised concerns over the Electoral Commission’s delay in gazetting Elias Nalukoola, the Kawempe North by-election winner, preventing his swearing-in as a Member of Parliament.
During the plenary session on Thursday, chaired by Speaker Anita Among, MPs questioned the delay, drawing comparisons to past by-elections where winners were swiftly sworn in.
Ssemujju Nganda, MP for Kira Municipality, pointed out the case of Michael Mawanda, who was sworn in just 24 hours after his victory in the Igara East by-election.
“May we know when Nalukoola, the Kawempe by-election winner, will be sworn in?” Ssemujju asked.
Speaker Among clarified that Parliament cannot proceed with the swearing-in before the Electoral Commission officially gazettes the results.
“I am waiting for the gazette and need to hear from the Electoral Commission,” she stated.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Joel Ssenyonyi, criticized the Electoral Commission’s inaction, expressing frustration over its failure to fulfill its constitutional obligation.
“We are dismayed that the Electoral Commission has not gazetted the winner of the Kawempe North by-election. When we inquired, they claimed to be handling internal matters,” Ssenyonyi said.
He noted that previous elections had seen immediate gazettement and accused the EC of failing in its duty.
“Once a winner is declared, the EC has no further administrative role in the election. The government supervises the commission, and we demand to know what is causing this undue delay,” he added.
Ssenyonyi also condemned the violence that marred the by-election, citing reports of Opposition leaders, supporters, and journalists allegedly assaulted by security forces.
“Who sanctioned this brutality? We have raised these concerns before, yet the government remains silent. Even though the Prime Minister, Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, and the Minister of Internal Affairs, Gen. David Muhoozi condemned the violence, we still need answers,” he said.
He further criticized government officials for making sarcastic remarks suggesting that Opposition members orchestrated violence against themselves and journalists.
David Bahati, Minister of State for Trade, Industries, and Cooperatives, stated that the government had visited an injured journalist at Nsambya Hospital and would cover his medical expenses.
Lwemiyaga County MP, Hon. Theodore Ssekikubo, insisted that the President’s statements cannot override the Electoral Commission’s constitutional obligations.
“This House must formally express its dismay over the EC’s handling of the Kawempe North by-election. The results were declared—what is stopping the EC from fulfilling its duty? Anyone aggrieved can seek legal redress, but the people of Kawempe North deserve representation,” Ssekikubo asserted.
Speaker Among directed the Attorney General to investigate the matter, emphasizing Parliament’s concern over the delay.
“We shall wait for the gazette, and once received, we will proceed with the swearing-in. It is in my best interest to have my Member in the House because the people of Kawempe North deserve representation,” she said.
