The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has announced plans to challenge the outcome of the Kawempe North by-election.
On Friday morning, the results of the by-election saw Erias Nalukoola Luyimbazi of the National Unity Platform (NUP) declared the winner, defeating his closest rival, Faridah Nambi of the NRM, who came in second.
In a statement on Saturday morning, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong explained that the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) had convened an extraordinary meeting to discuss the election results. According to Todwong, the party is dissatisfied with the outcome and will pursue legal action to challenge the results in court.
“We are dissatisfied with the outcome of the by-election, and the Central Executive Committee has directed our legal team to challenge the results in a court of law,” Todwong said.
The CEC meeting, held on Friday, heard allegations of voter disenfranchisement in Kawempe North, particularly after the Electoral Commission rejected results from several polling stations. According to Todwong, the cancellation of results from over 50 polling stations disenfranchised approximately 50,000 voters, denying them their right to vote.
“Acts of violence were carried out by supporters and sympathizers of the National Unity Platform, and there were reports of cheating and ballot stuffing. We believe this election was marred with irregularities that need to be thoroughly investigated,” Todwong added.
The NRM Secretary General further stated that the party has called for a forensic audit of the election, which should examine the conduct of the Electoral Commission, NUP, and security operatives, among others.
