The National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, has been declared the winner of the Kawempe North MP by-election, defeating nine other candidates.
According to the Electoral Commission, Nalukoola secured 17,764 votes, while his closest rival, Faridah Nambi of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), garnered 8,593 votes.
Click here to join our WhatsApp Group and Receive Daily News
The by-election was held to fill the seat left vacant following the passing of former MP Muhammad Ssegirinya in January.
Independent candidate Hanifah Karadi Murerwa finished third with 381 votes, while Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate and musician Sadat Mukiibi, known as Kalifa Aganaga, came in last with 239 votes.
Other contenders included Muhammad Luswa Luwemba, Ssegirinya’s former assistant, who received 240 votes; Ismail Musiitwa of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) with 39 votes; Henry Mubiru Kasacca of the Democratic Party (DP) with 100 votes; and Edward Stanley Engena-Maitum, who polled 22 votes.
Independent candidates Moses Nsereko and Muhamood Mutazindwa received 32 and 186 votes, respectively.
The March 13 by-election was marked by heavy security deployment, as well as the arrests of journalists, opposition MPs, and their supporters.
Returning officer Henry Makabayi reported that a total of 27,596 valid votes were cast, with 28,002 ballot papers counted. At least 406 ballots were deemed invalid, while 49 were spoiled.
Makabayi also noted that results from 15 polling stations were not submitted, with six of them reporting that voting materials, including ballot papers, had been destroyed before tallying.
“We will investigate why some polling stations failed to submit their reports,” Makabayi stated.
Also Read: Authorities Launch Investigations as Anthrax Kills Two in Kazo
