The High Court in Kampala has nullified the election of Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi as the Member of Parliament for Kawempe North.
In a ruling delivered via email, Justice Bernard Namanya declared the seat vacant and ordered the Electoral Commission to organize a fresh by-election.
The decision follows a successful petition filed by Faridah Nambi Kigongo of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who challenged Nalukoola’s victory.
In her petition, Nambi accused Nalukoola of campaigning on polling day at stations such as Mbogo Primary School Playground, where he allegedly addressed voters, chanted political slogans, and influenced them to vote in his favour.
She also faulted the Electoral Commission for failing to ensure a secure voting environment, properly count votes, safeguard electoral materials, and transparently transmit results. Nambi argued that these failures led to the disenfranchisement of thousands of voters, including herself.
Additionally, she accused Nalukoola and his agents of engaging in voter bribery, alleging that they distributed money and household items—such as bread, salt, soap, and tea—to individuals including Mary Diana Kibuka, George William Mawumbe, and Geoffrey Wamukubira.
Justice Namanya said his decision was based on the apparent disenfranchisement of voters whose ballots were destroyed and never counted, as well as Nalukoola’s conduct on election day.
The court ordered each party to bear their own legal costs.
