Kawempe North By-Election: Victory, Reversal & the Unfinished Business

In mid-March 2025, the eyes of Kampala turned towards Kawempe North, a constituency now symbolic of Uganda’s fraught political landscape. With the untimely death of MP Muhammad Ssegirinya in January, the stage was set for a by-election held on 13 March. The National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, emerged victorious, declared winner with 17,764 votes against nine other contenders.

From Campaign to Court

Nalukoola’s win, however, was not the finale. Shortly after taking office, his election was nullified by the High Court on 26 May, due to findings of campaign violations. The ruling ordered a fresh poll.

This legal turnaround underscores the precariousness of political victory in Uganda: success at the ballot box is often just the beginning of a struggle involving judiciary, regulation, and political resistance. For NUP, the case of Kawempe North encapsulates both hope and vulnerability.

What Happened During the Campaign

Obstacles & Allegations: Nalukoola’s campaign was not without hurdles. From claims of his aides being harassed or abducted, to interference perceived from security operatives, tensions ran high.

Strategies: NUP leveraged grassroots mobilization, focusing on youth, informal settlements, churches, and community outreach. The candidate presented himself as a lawyer, community advocate, and voice for the marginalized.

Winning Margin & Moment: The margin of votes, though not overwhelming, reflected substantial support, especially in areas historically challenged by development deficits, unemployment, and public service gaps.

Implications & Fallout

Nullification’s Ramifications: The nullification verdict raised serious questions about the accountability, fairness, and consistency of election oversight. Supporters of Nalukoola see it as a politically motivated move. Critics argue campaign rules must be respected.

Trust & Voter Sentiment: Among voters, overturning election outcomes may fuel disillusionment, especially when procedural claims appear opaque or politicized.

Future Elections & Campaign Conduct: For NUP, ensuring strict compliance — documentation, funding disclosures, avoiding any campaign irregularities — will be essential. The party will need to gird itself not just for polling day but the post-poll legal terrain as well.

What to Watch Next

When the next fresh poll for Kawempe North will be held, and under what conditions

How NUP and Nalukoola will adjust their campaign strategy, especially around legal compliance and documentation

Whether government or regulatory authorities will impose further constraints, or whether the verdict itself will spark public debate about the fairness of electoral law enforcement

How this episode affects broader NUP morale and its image among undecided voters

The Kawempe North by-election was a story of both triumph and uncertainty: Nalukoola’s win showed NUP’s strength and appeal, but the subsequent nullification reminds us that in Uganda’s political landscape, victory is fragile. The stakes are now not just about winning votes — but about legitimizing those wins before the law and maintaining trust in a system where doubt is never far away.

Quotes :

“Victory is not always the end; sometimes it’s the beginning of a different battlefield.”

“Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola: lawyer, community voice, and now a test case in Uganda’s democracy.”