The Electoral Commission says it still has time to officially publish the results from the Kawempe North election. Opposition candidate Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi from the National Unity Platform won this race on March 13, 2024, but he hasn't taken his oath of office yet. This delay has created friction between government officials and opposition leaders, who see unfair treatment compared to candidates from the ruling party.
Several opposition lawmakers raised concerns during a Thursday meeting. They pointed out how fast ruling party winners move into office. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda from Kira Municipality asked Speaker Anitah Among directly about the holdup. He mentioned National Resistance Movement member Michael Mawanda, who took his oath just one day after winning his election for Igara East Constituency.
Speaker Among explained she cannot swear anyone into office without receiving official paperwork first. She stated clearly that her hands remain tied until the Electoral Commission sends her the required documentation. The opposition leader, Joel Ssenyonyi, expressed frustration with these explanations, saying his team contacted the Commission directly about the matter.
The Commission spokesperson, Julius Mucunguzi, defended their actions by referring to legal timeframes. He cited Sections 58 and 59 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which allow returning officers seven days to submit reports after elections finish. The Commission then has 48 hours to publish those results officially. Mucunguzi insisted they haven't broken any rules regarding timing requirements.
Nalukoola defeated ten other candidates when he won the Kawempe North election with 17,764 votes. The closest challenger, National Resistance Movement candidate Faridah Nambi, received 8,593 votes. The ruling party has announced plans to challenge these election results through the court system rather than accept them as final.
Several opposition lawmakers raised concerns during a Thursday meeting. They pointed out how fast ruling party winners move into office. Ibrahim Ssemujju Nganda from Kira Municipality asked Speaker Anitah Among directly about the holdup. He mentioned National Resistance Movement member Michael Mawanda, who took his oath just one day after winning his election for Igara East Constituency.
Speaker Among explained she cannot swear anyone into office without receiving official paperwork first. She stated clearly that her hands remain tied until the Electoral Commission sends her the required documentation. The opposition leader, Joel Ssenyonyi, expressed frustration with these explanations, saying his team contacted the Commission directly about the matter.
The Commission spokesperson, Julius Mucunguzi, defended their actions by referring to legal timeframes. He cited Sections 58 and 59 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, which allow returning officers seven days to submit reports after elections finish. The Commission then has 48 hours to publish those results officially. Mucunguzi insisted they haven't broken any rules regarding timing requirements.
Nalukoola defeated ten other candidates when he won the Kawempe North election with 17,764 votes. The closest challenger, National Resistance Movement candidate Faridah Nambi, received 8,593 votes. The ruling party has announced plans to challenge these election results through the court system rather than accept them as final.
