The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) has rejected the results of the Kawempe North by-election, citing acts of violence allegedly carried out by National Unity Platform (NUP) supporters. The party has resolved to challenge the results in court.
In a statement released Saturday, March 15, 2025, NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong announced that CEC, chaired by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, met on Friday March 14 2025 and instructed its legal team to petition in court challenging the election results.
“The acts of violence reported at several polling stations were carried out by sympathizers and supporters of NUP,” Todwong stated.
Todwong also expressed concerns about the integrity of the democratic process, warning that failure to address electoral malpractices could lead to potential instability.
“The country may face or degenerate into chaos if these kinds of undemocratic behaviors and practices are not checked,” he added.
The NRM Secretary General also pointed out that the Electoral Commission’s cancellation of results at several polling stations had disqualified approximately 50,000 registered voters.
“The Electoral Commission’s cancellation of results at several polling stations unjustly denied thousands of voters their democratic rights,” Todwong remarked
He further stressed that the party could not accept the results under such circumstances.
“The Central Executive Committee of the National Resistance Movement totally rejects the results of Kawempe North constituency as declared by the Electoral Commission,” Todwong affirmed.
The NRM Secretary General has called on the government to conduct a forensic audit and hold accountable those responsible for the reported electoral irregularities.
“We demand a thorough investigation and that all culprits who participated in disrupting the election be brought to book as soon as possible,” he stated.
The NRM’s decision follows the announcement by Kampala District Returning Officer Makabayi Henry, who declared NUP’s Erias Nalukoola Luyimbazi as the winner of the Kawempe North by-election on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Luyimbazi secured 17,764 votes, defeating NRM’s Faridah Nambi, who gathered 8,593 votes.
As the legal process unfolds, the outcome will likely have significant implications for the region’s political landscape and the broader democratic framework in the country.
