NUP's Nalukoola Lines Up Nine Law Firms to Defend Election Victory

Kawempe North Member of Parliament Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi has assembled a legal team comprising nine law firms to defend his March 13th 2025 election victory, which is now being contested in court by his rival, Faridah Nambi Kigongo of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).

The law firms enlisted include GEM Advocates, Nyanzi, Kiboneka & Mbabazi Advocates, Alaka & Company Advocates, Kaganzi & Company Advocates, Mbabali & Company Advocates, Reeve Advocates, Ahamark Advocates, PACE Advocates, and Nalukoola Advocates and Solicitors, the MP's personal firm. 

The lawyers, led by George Musisi, on Thursday served a notice of address to Nambi’s legal team, headed by Ahmed Kalule of Crane Associates, shortly after receiving a copy of the election petition. The legal team is expected to jointly review the petition and file Nalukoola's response. 

The Electoral Commission declared Nalukoola the winner of the March 13th parliamentary by-election, securing 17,939 votes against Nambi’s 9,058. Dissatisfied with the results, Nambi petitioned the High Court Civil Division last week, seeking the nullification of Nalukoola's election and the conduct of a fresh by-election.

Nambi lists the Electoral Commission as the second respondent and claims that voter disenfranchisement occurred at 14 polling stations whose results were never included in the final tally. In her petition, Nambi accuses Nalukoola of engaging in illegal electoral practices, including campaigning at polling stations. 

She alleges that at Mbogo Primary School Playground (KAT-MAJ) polling station, Nalukoola campaigned among voters by chanting his party slogan “People Power, Our Power” and telling voters “Yenze Nalukoola,” loosely translated as “It’s me, Nalukoola.”

She further alleges that at Kazo Angola (KAL-KZ) LCI Office polling station, Nalukoola told voters, “Amaanyi g’abantu temugalyaamu olukwe,” which translates to “Do not betray People Power.” Nambi also accuses Nalukoola’s agents, Kibirige Musa and Nabakooza Ritah, of holding his campaign posters at Bright Sparks Junior School polling center and asking voters to vote for him.

The petition further claims that Nalukoola and his campaigners obstructed voters, violating Section 90 of the Parliamentary Elections Act. Specific individuals such as Bukenya Bonny, Hon. Balimwezo Ronald Nsubuga, Sserunjogi Edward, Ssempijja Joseph, Sam Kasirye, Auma Scovia, and Kibirango Fred are mentioned for allegedly preventing voters, including Nassanga Deborah, from voting at Kalanda's Compound (N-N) polling station.

Nambi asserts that at least 16,640 votes from 14 polling stations were never announced. She blames the Electoral Commission for failing to conduct polling in a free and secure environment, and for not counting or transmitting results from stations such as Mbogo Primary School Playground, Kazo Angola LCI Office, and Bosa’s Road. She says these actions contravene several sections of the Parliamentary Elections Act.

The Commission is also accused of mishandling electoral materials and failing to properly tally or postpone counting where necessary. Nambi argues that this contributed to voter disenfranchisement, including herself, as she is a registered voter at Mbogo Primary School Playground. The petition cites alleged instances of bribery by Nalukoola and his agents. It claims that Kyemba Muwanguzi Nathan received UGX 10,000 to vote for Nalukoola. 

It also states that on Election Day, Ben Ntale Mukasa, a Kawempe Division councilor, gave UGX 5,000 to Mawumbe George William at Clinton Junior School (KIM) polling station to induce a vote. Additionally, it is alleged that Nalukoola gave UGX 5,000 to Wamukubira Geoffrey at Pentecostal Church (OZ) polling station. Nambi argues that these actions, carried out by Nalukoola or his agents with his knowledge and consent, constitute grounds for nullifying his election. The High Court is yet to schedule the matter for hearing.