BY OUR REPORTER

The Electoral Commission has officially gazetted Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola as the Member of Parliament-elect for Kawempe North, bringing to a close an 11-day period of tension within the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP). This announcement, published in the Uganda Gazette on March 24, 2025, confirms his victory in the recent parliamentary by-election.

Nalukoola emerged victorious with 17,939 votes, defeating his closest rival, Faridah Nambi of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who secured 9,058 votes. Nambi’s total was revised from an initial tally of 8,593, which had been reported following the March 13 elections.

The gazetting of Nalukoola’s victory clears the path for his swearing-in, marking the formal beginning of his tenure as an MP. His victory comes after a series of delays in the gazetting process, which led to mounting frustrations. Nalukoola had even threatened to personally visit the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) to demand an explanation for the delay.

These concerns were addressed following a meeting with the Electoral Commission, which confirmed that Nalukoola’s details had been forwarded to UPPC for publication. The official gazette announcement now paves the way for the MP-elect’s formal induction into Parliament.

Despite the delay, Nalukoola’s victory has been accompanied by other significant developments. He had previously raised alarms over the presence of UPDF soldiers in Kawempe North, accusing them of intimidation and interference during the electoral process. His calls for the withdrawal of military personnel had added to the tension surrounding the by-election.

In spite of these challenges, the publication of Nalukoola's victory in the Uganda Gazette marks a crucial step in formalizing his position as the new representative for Kawempe North. The Electoral Commission Chairman, Justice Simon Byabakama, has officially concluded the electoral process, with the complete list of results now published in the Gazette.

This marks a significant moment in Uganda's political landscape, signaling the successful conclusion of the Kawempe North by-election and paving the way for Nalukoola’s swearing-in as the new MP.