Two witness affidavits submitted in defense of Kawempe North MP Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi have been struck off the record by the High Court in Kampala. The decision, delivered by Justice Bernard Namanya, marks a new twist in the ongoing legal battle over Nalukoola’s March 2025 election victory.
The affidavits were withdrawn at the request of Nalukoola’s legal team—Alex Luganda, Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, and Muhammad Mbabazi—after allegations emerged that the witnesses had been pressured into changing their testimonies. The witnesses were initially part of the petition filed by Faridah Nambi Kigongo, the NRM candidate challenging the outcome of the Kawempe North parliamentary race.
One of Nambi’s witnesses, Nathan Kyemba Muwanguzi, testified that he had been promised UGX 1 million by members of the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) to withdraw his affidavit supporting her petition. He stated in court that he only received UGX 200,000 and is still owed the remaining UGX 800,000.
Another witness, George William Mawumbe, claimed he was intimidated by Nalukoola’s agents—led by Ben Ntale—to swear a second affidavit on April 22nd, reversing his earlier testimony that he received UGX 5,000 from the MP’s campaign team.
During the same court session, MP Nalukoola was cross-examined. His defense faced early challenges after failing to attach key documents, including certified election results, to their response.
However, his witness Ritah Nabakooza, a councillor from Mpererwe, testified that she had not witnessed any voter bribery by Nalukoola during the campaign period.
Following the removal of the two affidavits, Justice Namanya directed the court to proceed with oral submissions. Nambi’s legal team will present their arguments on May 19, while Nalukoola’s defense is scheduled to respond on May 20, with a possible rejoinder to follow.
The election, held on March 13, 2025, ended with Nalukoola declared winner by the Electoral Commission, securing 17,939 votes, ahead of NRM’s Nambi with 9,058 votes, in a field of ten candidates.
Dissatisfied with the result, Nambi filed a petition alleging irregularities, voter bribery, and electoral malpractice, all of which she argues compromised the integrity of the vote.
Among her claims are payments made to voters, including UGX 10,000 to Kyemba Muwanguzi Nathan and UGX 5,000 to both Mawumbe George William and Wamukubira Geoffrey.
The Electoral Commission, represented by Eric Sabiiti, has refuted these allegations, insisting the election was carried out in line with electoral laws and constitutional guidelines.
