Kawempe North By-Election: The High Court have nullified the result

“Conclusion

107.This court has reached the decision to set aside the election of Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola as a Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North constituency for two main reasons:

i). 16,640 voters in the constituency including Nambi Faridah Kigongo were denied the right to vote (disenfranchised) which affected the result of the election in a substantial manner.

ii). Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola personally campaigned on election day at Mbogo Primary School Playground (KAT – MAJ) and Kazo Angola (KAL – KZ) at LCI Office polling stations which is an offence under Section 100 (1) (a) and (b)and Section 100 (2) (a) and (3) of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Cap. 177).

Order of the court

108.Therefore, in accordance with Section 80, 82 (4) (c) and 82 (6) (c) of the Parliamentary Elections Act (Cap. 177), I order as follows:

i). That the election of Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola as a Directly Elected Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North constituency in Kampala District is set aside.

ii). That the seat for the Directly Elected Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North constituency in Kampala District is declared vacant.

iii). That the Electoral Commission is ordered to conduct a fresh election for the Directly Elected Member of Parliament for Kawempe Division North constituency in Kampala District.

iv). That each party shall meet its own costs.

IT IS SO ORDERED

BERNARD NAMANYA

JUDGE

26th May 2025” (Nambi Faridah Kigongo v Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola and Electoral Commission (Election Petition No. 1 of 2025) [2025] UGHCCD 58 (26 May 2025)).

It’s not that long ago since March 13^th and the Transmission of Results Form of the 14^th March of 2025 which announced the winner of the Kawempe North By-Election. The Parliament waited long to swear-in the winner and now the winner of the election must go to the Courts of Appeal to uphold the results. Alas, this is a thwarted one and he cannot legislate in the little minute his in office. As his busier fighting to stay in office than actually doing his duty.

This nullification is just mere action of the state to punish the voters and the opposition party, National Unity Platform (NUP). The National Resistance Movement (NRM) could have won this By-Election. Everyone with a pulse knows this, but the ones that are delusional would consider NRM’s chances in Kawempe North. Therefore, they are foolishly fighting this battle and want another round of polls.

This is the looser calling foul and having the state machinery behind it. They created the violence, the issues surrounding the by-election and they created the chaos, which was this by-election. If the state believes this is the winning formula to nullify it. Well, they are wrong and only shows their misuse of power. They can do this and nullify it, but that doesn’t mean it will be the victor second time around. This is just adding more pain and plights, as if it was worthy of so.

The state and the government are the fools here. They are doing a fool’s errand. Just because it is plausible, doesn’t mean this is a righteous action. As the state should answer for their misgivings, misuse of power and how they wanted to rig this by-election. The misuse of JATT, SFC and army to go after the people in this by-election.

It is just two months since the MP was sworn-in and this is how the system pays off. This is a deliberate act to spend time in the courts and ensure he has to run another campaign. That is just to ensure the NUP, and the MP is busier working with the electorate. Then being a vocal MP or even galvanizing the party. Alas, he is bound to waste more time and just show how the state is rigging the game. This is because the NRM cannot lose face ahead of the 2026 General Election.

Regardless of what you think of the NUP. This is the image of the NRM and what they are willing to do. It is their answer as they lack the charisma, lack the programs and the policies that is edible for the public. The NRM lacks the popularity and lack the popular will to get voters behind it. That’s why the military and security organizations have to be used to spread the message and intimidate the voters to vote on them. Therefore, this is bound to happen, and the state cannot mange the idea of being hated by the public.

It is a waste of energy, time and everything that is surrounding us. To call for another round and have another By-Election in Kawempe North ahead of the General Elections is just ridiculous. If the NRM feels vindicated and such by the Courts. They are really dumb, as they used force and should answer for their sins, but we know that will only happen in the afterlife. They are above the law and untouchable for the moment. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: The game is rigged…

Bambi… but why? Why even bother? It is just getting foolish by now. There is nothing to gain and it is just stalling for time. The Government, the Authorities and the whole embodiment of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is just showing their arrogance, entitlement and disregard of the will of the people at this point. They are just showing their moves, acts and how they play.

The NRM and their candidate is taking people for fools and idiots when they filed in the petition and wanting a recount of votes. As the Electoral Commission had stalled the gazette and waited to officially send the documentation to the Parliament after the By-Election. Even after finalizing it and deliver a Return Form for Transmission of Results, which specifically said the National Unity Platform Candidate won this By-Election in the Kawempe North constituency.

It is just hogwash that the Return Form is saying 8593 votes for Fardiah Kigongo Nambi and on the gazette published today it says 9058. Meanwhile the NUP candidate went from 17764 to 17939. So, the numbers are jaded and for a purpose. That’s because the NRM and their candidate had already petitioned the Electoral Commission on the 21^st March and now today the Gazette came into affect. Just like clockwork and today the team released the letter to petition the Electoral Commission, was dated back to the 21^st March 2025. While the Return Form is dated to the 14^th March 2024. It is just slowly grinding this and making everything to a halt.

The NRM isn’t even playing smart about it. Just like it wasn’t wise to publicly go around and beat people. Neither was it smart to use government machinery and the methods to boost the NRM candidate during the campaigns. It didn’t help that JATT and other entities brought violence, intimidation and caused havoc during the campaigns and the polls. The creation of war-zone is only undermining the efforts of the NRM itself, as it only shows their vicious and sinister side. Alas, the people won’t buy into that, but want to rebuke it.

The NRM isn’t capable or smart enough. This isn’t playing for the long haul, but for the short-con. This is trying to forge a narrative, but it cannot work. They are only showing their blatant disregard of the people and their will. It is only showing their inability to accept defeat and fight for another. That’s the reality here and a concept the NRM cannot phantom, I suppose.

The NRM lost and was bound to loose regardless, the NRM could have had Jesus as a candidate and they would lose this campaign. No one want to vote for the party of brutality, violence and intimidation. No matter how much they try to bribe and knock on people’s doors. No, they have lost their marbles.

This isn’t winning people’s hearts. Neither is this service delivery or being honest. It is just misuse of power and abusing the system, a system that is created by the NRM. The NRM is trying to juxtaposition itself. Just like Museveni sometimes wants to sound like an opposition to himself and the creation he has created. That’s just the game that the NRM plays and they take people for fools while doing so.

The game is rigged… and the ones rigging it wants to call foul. It should be fiction, but is our mere reality. This is who the NRM are in 2025. Peace.

Opinion: AgaNaga – Spent a million for each voter he got [or close enough]

“To compete in this election, you need at least 200M, I have been moving with almost 100 people who are paid daily, the cars we used daily all take a lot of fuel, I have done all in the music everyone knows but now I have to venture into matters of national importance” – Sadat Mukiibi aka Kalifah AgaNaga (18.03.2025).

The man that got about 239 votes in the Kawempe North By-Election, Sadat Mukiibi aka Kalifah AgaNaga who ran as the flagbearer for the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). They went out hard and tried to sway the public, but didn’t galvanize anyone. That’s why the candidate got such a bad result.

The loss is just so clear and the FDC could reflect on its downfall, as the musician turned politician didn’t have the message or the character to sway the public. They didn’t believe in his platform or words for that manner. If they did…

He would have more impact than a little over 200 people voting on him. The FDC and the candidate should have been in the realms of the NUP. He should have been in the scope of the two bigger candidates. The FDC shouldn’t be this sort of a failure in the race.

That AgaNaga used 200 million on this result. The FDC and him should self-reflect on the way they did it. The people of Kawempe North didn’t accept him or his candidacy. The citizens didn’t believe in him or trust his message. That’s why so few voted for him and they didn’t see it in him. This is the reality here… and the musician should go back to producing records.

This man has lost twice elections. AgaNaga haven’t been able to win and tried twice already. Neither is he a trusted fella, as he went from singing songs for Museveni to suddenly become a FDC candidate. Therefore, he is really just trying whatever gets him into office. This man doesn’t have it in him.

That is proven and 200 million shillings couldn’t save him either. The man cannot even spend correctly or strategically, because if he was… then he would know that is a waste of funds. Him spending this much and get nothing in return. That is a compelling case, but show how dire the loss is. Peace.

A look into Bobi Wine’s Speech on the Kawempe North By-Election

“We saw an election where almost all media houses recalled their staff from the field a few hours after voting had started, just to keep them safe from those who claimed they were securing the election. We saw an election where the main candidate’s nomination papers were seized by security operatives just hours before nomination; his supporters and mobilizers beaten and arrested; and his communication devices seized just hours before voting. Several of our comrades were beaten and imprisoned just for supporting our candidate. Many others are in hospital fighting for their life” (Bobi Wine, 17.03.2025).

Today the victor of the Kawempe North By-Election spoke to his own at the National Unity Platform (NUP) headquarters. As the aftermath of the By-Election is appearing and the spin of the loss for the regime and their party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM). The NRM are already working tirelessly and so is the President too. That has been shown and that’s why I have to reflect on the words of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi who leads the biggest opposition party and was the party who retained the seat of Kawempe North.

When you read the speech of Bobi Wine. It is another type of play than Museveni. It just shows the difference of character and leadership. Just the way of navigating it and representing. That seems so natural for Bobi Wine. Meanwhile, Museveni is forcing himself and his ways on others.

“I truly congratulate you Counsel Nalukoola for beating the seemingly impossible odds to sit amongst us here today as a Member of Parliament-elect. You were not declared winner because the regime wanted to. You were declared winner because the elaborate measures the people of Kawempe North took to protect their vote left the regime with no other alternative” (Bobi Wine, 17.03.2025).

This here isn’t a new story and Bobi Wine lived through the same thing when he got elected in Kyadondo East. He knows how the games is played and how you have to fight to keep it. There is nothing given in the Republic and especially not elected seas. The contested seats that the NRM wants to win and have control over. That’s why it is a battle and is such a mess to begin with, as the stakes are so high and the willingness of using force is very eminent of the state. Therefore, the prices of doing is costly and that’s proven again. So many lives has been scorned so one man could become an MP.

“Dictator Museveni has since released a statement seeking to undermine the legitimacy of our victory and deflect blame for the criminality he unleashed on citizens in Kawempe” (…) “He accuses us of ballot-stuffing, voter intimidation, and results-tampering. But there is abundant video evidence showing his ministers accompanied by masked goons protected by gunmen engaging in this criminality. The destruction of ballot boxes in Kazo-Angola and other areas was not the work of the opposition—it was orchestrated by regime operatives to create a pretext for rejecting the otherwise legitimate results from an election they simply couldn’t win!” (Bobi Wine, 17.03.2025).

The projection of NRM and Museveni towards the NUP is just bonkers. The viral footage and pictures tells stories that Museveni cannot lie about. Neither can the NRM downplay or think people will forget. It is just really amazing after all these years and plenty of By-Elections. That the NRM and Museveni think people haven’t seen their game before and how it appears. This is their modus operandi and what they does. Kawempe North was no exception, but more of the norm, actually. This is who the NRM is in 2025 and what it has become. Bobi Wine and NUP is just exposing it, and showing it to the world to see.

“To the people of Uganda, let what happened in Kawempe North strengthen our resolve to fight for a better country. Let it remind us that despite the small wins along the way, our struggle for freedom and good governance is far from over. We must keep organizing, mobilizing, and resisting.

We must emulate the people of Kawempe North who have showed us what a PROTEST VOTE means and requires us to do. They united, voted, and guarded their vote. If we replicate their example across other parts of the country, we can beat the dictator at his own game! Freedom is in sight!” (Bobi Wine, 17.03.2025).

The victory of Kawempe North By-Election is a nice one for the NUP. Even if it is a seat and a place that has turned into a stronghold of the opposition. There is a long time since a NRM representative was in place from there. Therefore, it must be with a little hesitation to celebrate to fast too.

The NRM wanted to take it and look strong ahead of 2026. The President wanted to have the final straw and build some sort of momentum before the polls. Meanwhile we know he campaigns with the PDM as his vehicle to do so. Just like he did with OWC and Emyooga in the past. Using government programs as an excuse to canvas voters and hold rallies. This game has been played before and people should watch it.

The NUP cannot do the same and neither can any other serious competitor of the NRM. The authorities won’t allow it or accept it. As that doesn’t fit their plan and their majority rule. It cannot see the growth or see a potential of galvanized support of an opposition leader or party. No that has to be stifled and suppressed. That’s why Bobi Wine cannot rest or be in good vibes for too long. There is to much hurt, pain and suffering ahead of 2026. We saw it in the By-Election and there will be plenty more in the General Elections in 2026. That is just bound to happen, whether we like it or not.

The protest vote of Kawempe is beautiful and poetic in defiance of the state. Now the whole Republic has to do the same. If that happens. Then there is nowhere Museveni or his NRM can go. Until then, freedom is far from visible and is far from hope of another tomorrow. Because right now, we are just waking up to another day of the Yellow Brigade singing their songs of glory and praising the sacrifices of Luweero. Peace.

A look into Museveni’s Kawempe North By-Election Statement

“In this piece, I am writing to inform you that an electoral and criminal investigation has started in the Kawempe North by-election. The following allegations have come up: ballot papers stuffing, altering results, destroying ballot boxes in Kazo-Angola, Mbogo Mosque zone, etc., because, apparently, some people did not want those votes to be counted, campaigning at the polling stations, intimidation, violence, etc. The heavy deployment of security forces may have stopped mass violence, but it could not stop these micro crimes that should have been managed by the election officials” (Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, 16.03.2025).

The old man with the hat couldn’t let this one slide. I don’t have it in him and he cannot let this one go. We knew there was something up when the National Resistance Movement – Central Executive Committee released their resolutions and demanded an investigation and audit of the Kawempe North By-Election. Now the President, His Excellency is taking it further. This is just bonkers at this point.

The State House and the NRM has to self reflect. They need to re-assess themselves and how they conduct themselves. The way and the manner of how the state operates during the campaigns, the nomination days and the polls itself. They are making their own and showing their true character. The President cannot lie and deceive in 2025. It might have worked in the 1980s and less coverage of civilians, but now we all get the memos, the viral footage and the pictures that speaks loud and clear.

“The NRM people must not involve themselves in cheating by saying that the opposition is doing it, they must also do it. Work to crush that disenfranchisement of the Ugandan people. That is why the NRM went to the bush” (Museveni, 16.03.2025).

The delusion, the arrogance and the entitlement of writing this is just another level. If the Young Yoweri had seen the Kawempe North By-Election. He would have returned to the BUSH. Heck, he went to fight in the bush, because of the way he claimed the Uganda Peoples’ Congress (UPC) was running it in 1980. The same sort of state machinery and securing the control of nation. That’s what the NRM does and perfected over the years. His talking like we don’t see how the RDCs, UPF, UPDF, SFC, JATT and everyone else works in coordination to secure a NRM Victory. Like what sort of spell is the President under? Does he think we don’t know the game of pre-ticking ballots and ballot stuffing? Please, step your game up if your going to lie at me. As a seasoned politician. You should be better at it. This isn’t it!

“You have been inviting the NRM to attend to you. We shall do exactly that. The mistakes the soldiers may do could be on account of preparing for those non-lethal roles when they are diverted from their work of fighting on account of indiscipline of some actors. These are the criminal mistakes of the opposition. However, there are also organizational mistakes on the NRM side, especially not working collectively and reaching the Wanainchi. Investigations will show us who destroyed the ballot paper boxes at Kazo-Angola, Mbogo centre, etc. and why” (Museveni, 16.03.2025).

The NRM wasn’t invited to Kawempe or the By-Election, no it took over it and used the state machinery to attack the opposition. The media personnel was hurt, civilians was captured, tortured and detained. There was Members of Parliament who was arrested, local activists too and such. There was a massive military presence and that wasn’t to stop mass-uprising or demonstrations. No, it was to incite fear and stifle the tracks of the opposition from assembling and campaigning. So, the mistakes was to think that was a winning strategy. That the levels of fear and intimidation stopped people from voting against the regime. Alas, therein is the problem that the President and the NRM cannot stomach or handle. They can be gun-slinging and use weaponry to muffle citizens, but it cannot understand that it is not the answer. It doesn’t solve the needs of the people and neither is it helping them. That doesn’t build trust, care or concern of their behalf. Instead the NRM doesn’t come as an invited guest to Kawempe. No, the NRM came as an invader and as an aggressor. Has the President ever thought about that? No, neither he or his fellow comrades has never ever consider the implications of such moves. Because they are on the other side of the guns and they are not looking at without being armed.

If the NRM starts investigating it all. The bribes, the pre-ticked ballots and the whole gameplay of state machinery should come into play. There are enough witnesses and proof of soldiers partaking in it. There are enough proof of what went down. Even when the authorities and the state tried to send the media packing. There is enough tapes and such to show what went down. The state can try to rewrite history here, but its clear. They want to send a message, but it is failing. Because all of it is futile.

The NRM was never scheduled to win this one. There was no signs of it. Neither was the stars aligned for miracle either. They could only win if the rigging has succeeded and the will of the people had allowed for it to happen. Alas, that’s what the NRM is missing. The NRM is missing the people. The people aren’t here for them. The people don’t trust the NRM and why should they?

First they come with guns, then they come with porkies and now they want to investigate the ones who came with the guns? They want to investigate themselves and why they couldn’t successfully rig the election? Seriously, is that what the NRM has become?

Is this what the President fought for and went for the BUSH for? Is this why the skulls of Luweero died en-mass? When the President invokes the bush. We are allowed to question it, aye? He wents to use the Mecca, let’s take it to Mecca then. Please, the President should know better, but clearly his vanity and arrogance are more important than the truth or being able to read the room. Peace.

Opinion: The NRM CEC needs some self reflection

Today the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Central Executive Committee (CEC) delivered their verdict after becoming second and losing the Kawempe North By-Election. The striking matter is that the NRM acts like its an outside force and not the government itself. As they expect the Electoral Commission to investigate and audit the election. That’s really telling, as we haven’t seen how the state operated and acting during the whole proceedings.

The NRM should sit this one out. They already used all the tricks of the book. They used the whole state machinery and was prepared to rig the election. They just waited for the thumbs up and make it happen. There was every bits and pieces in action for one purpose only. So, it is rich that the call the EC out and wants this now.

The NRM rejects the results too and also says it will legally challenge it. If it does all of this… do they want the courts to see the videos, pictures and the altered return forms? What do they want to provide of evidence? What stories doest the NRM want to tell?

Do the NRM wants the stories of the NUP activists arrested, the double arrests of the NUP candidate and use of JATT to stop the NUP from properly campaigning? Do the NRM wants the courts to look into the soldiers, special forces command and the soldiers intimidating during the polls?

What does the NRM wants to prove? That they didn’t block Pearl FM from providing proof of the rigging for the NRM. Do the NRM wants the proof of how they tried to make the Kawempe North into a war-zone and harassed the media into darkness. So, that the polling agents and others was left without media having oversight of the activity during the polls. What sort of evidence does the NRM wants to provide courts?

Nothing that happened was in favour of the opposition or the NUP. If the blood, torture, arrests, detained civilians and use of NRM or state operatives for self-serving interests. These was all parts in the play and we know about it. The state even used cars without registration plates and such too. There was nothing this state didn’t do to outsmart and outwit their own electorate. Still, they voted in defiance and in protest of state itself.

The NRM CEC don’t want this all portrayed in the courts. What is there to gain and what does the NRM win? They have already caused the pain, plights and suffering… just over a seat and a ballot. Still, they couldn’t cause enough harm and damage to stop the people from standing up for themselves. That’s just what should worry the state and the NRM itself.

If there are any characters left with some sort of clear mind in the NRM CEC. They would reflect on the matter and reasons for the fall in the Kawempe North By-Election. There are so many reasons for why they lost. There is not only the knowledge of the historical pattern of voters voting for opposition. Secondly, why would the people, trust the party who orders soldiers to streets to beat them up? Seriously, it is such an easy argument and everyone can digest that.

Nevertheless, that is just to deep and to hard for the NRM to comprehend. Maybe their delusion and lack of realism is hitting in. They are just living in their own bubble and cannot understand the real sentiment out there. That’s why they think gun-slinging on unarmed civilian is the righteous act to get their will done. This is what we are seeing and hearing. It is infuriating and insulting the people who are just trying to live life. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: The three unfortunate losers

Today the final result of the Kawempe North By-Election is here. We know the National Resistance Movement (NRM) lost this one, but that was expected. The National Unity Platform (NUP) was estimated to reclaim this seat. So, the victory in itself isn’t a shock or the public sentiment of protesting the government by, yet again putting their trust in a NUP Member of Parliament.

The others who should feel the pain here is Sadat Mukiibi aka Khalif AgaNaga who ran as the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flagbearer only 239 votes. The others are independent candidates who is NUP leaning. That being Muhammed Lussuwa Luwemba who got 240 votes and Moses Nsereko who got 32 votes.

It is just showing how they struggled in this campaign. We could have discussed the Democratic Party (DP) and People’s Progressive Party (PPP) who also fielded flagbearers that went nowhere. That’s why there is no need to address it. Just like the fallen out of grace NRM leaning flagbearer who didn’t do well either.

The three ones that needs to reflect on themselves are the FDC and NUP leaning candidates. These are the ones who supposed to make an impact. They were supposed to get the voters galvanized and be a better viable than the assessed and the one who was vouched for by the NUP.

The ones that who tried to be nominated and become the NUP flagbearer. They still rebelled and ran on their own. These two are the biggest losers. Those two has already gone against the grain and tried to sway voters away from that party. Their candidacy could easily have destroyed and taken away the NUP momentum. Nevertheless, that wasn’t even that trustworthy.

We know that people have tried to use the association to the deceased family and the direct connection to the late Muhammed Ssegirinya MP. The former Personal Assistant Lussuwa Luwemba tried that. The NRM even pushed one of the kids of the late on the final day of campaigning. The former P.A. changed religion, did a publicity stunt at the gravesite and also has tried to prolong the legacy of Mr. Update. Still, it went badly for him.

Moses Nsereko went the whole mile and tried to act like his was the next big thing. Even a mockery attempts on first nomination day with the wheelbarrow. The whole charade fell flat, and he needed to return the next day with the right documentation. He went on a public debate claiming to be the most significant guy there. The same man that collapsed when he wasn’t announced as the NUP flagbearer back in February.

The third loser is the musician that ran his campaign with the FDC. A man who has just a hot minute ago been singing songs for His Excellency. That man became the FDC flagbearer and shows how far the party has fallen. This candidate didn’t even make a huge wave. Neither is this promising for the 2026 elections. As this is the state of the FDC at the moment… all flair and no momentum. Going door to door, holding rallies, but getting such a result. The former P.A. even got the same, but with a much more limited campaign. That is telling on the lack of recognition or even trust in the FDC. The public shows that by not even making it close to the NUP or the NRM.

Just imagine going in and thinking they could sway the public away from the NUP. Two of them even tried to run within the NUP and become the flagbearer before going independent after the loss. We have seen that has worked in the NRM, but it doesn’t work with the NUP. They have loyalty to the party-line for now and not just personalized leadership. That’s how this can be digested after the polls.

People are even associated with the late didn’t matter. The use of the family of the late MP didn’t help any cause either. They just became pawns and didn’t further the campaigns of the ones involved. These are the biggest losers after the Kawempe North By-Election.

They went out high and mighty but got nothing back for doing so. Except for wasting their time, energy and funds on running. It could have been better to be in the office or whatever day-job they had before trying to run. Because these people didn’t do much for themselves or for Kawempe North for that matter. These people have been humiliated. That is the gist here. Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: A memo on the aftermath

This here is what resilience and what a resolute mind does. Even when all the odds are against the opposition and the National Unity Platform (NUP). The National Resistance Movement (NRM). The state used all of its instruments to get ahead and rig the proceedings.

They used all sorts of techniques, tricks of the trade and violence. That was from the state security agencies like JATT, ISO, UPDF, SFC and even use the RDCs. All of them was deployed for a mission and they tried to undermine the efforts of the people.

That Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola is the victor here and the population of Kawempe North. They stood tall in midst of it all. The state through everything into it. They tried and did what it could rig the election. This By-Election was marred with violence, intimidation and misuse of power. That’s what we have seen with arrests, harassment and painful actions made against the electorate.

If the NRM thinks they are winning the hearts of the Kampala by doing this. They are wrong. They picked a candidate that was validated through the party and was a long legacy family of the ruling regime. That’s what they do and how they operate. It is really weird that the party who wants the seat and takeover from the opposition is using violence, torture and preventive arrests too. They tried to block rallies and even arrest the NUP flagbearer twice. The state used all means to an end, which got them nowhere.

The Kawempe North shows loyalty and that it continues to trust in the NUP. Even when the NRM creates havoc and make the By-Election into a warzone. It looks like the state goes to war against their own civilians. When they use tear-gas, bullets and even crashes vehicles to block one from driving to their final campaign venue. That’s the sort of action the state does, people have torn bodies, damaged and suffering as bystanders, as journalists and whatnot.

This is what the NRM does and what they represent. Kawempe North By-Election is just a symptom of what is wrong with the regime. They have shown who they are and what they are willing to do. The ones in office, the ones who orders the security agencies on the streets and the ones who is willing to defend their actions. That there are spokespersons and high-ranking leaders willing to defend it by any means necessary.

They just show their true colours here. It is so blatant and without any regards of the victims. The victims are blamed, and they shouldn’t be there, but their votes or their reporting matters at another time. The state is allowed to use it all… and they always righteous. The ones ordering the bullets and the guns on unarmed civilians are in their rights. Instead of asking the question, why are the soldiers and anti-terrorist squad partaking in the elections. It just shows what sort of ordeal and what message the state send.

The civilians and the people should be commended for their actions here. Even as the state tried to bribe them and intimidate them. They still voted for the opposition and the successor. No one would have been shocked or in awe, if they had given way, because of the acts of the state. However, the people are tired of it and don’t trust the ruling regime. That’s why they are voting and protesting against the state. It shows…

Even when the people are locked in at the barrel of a gun. They still dares to question it. That’s remarkable. This will be remembered and is a token ahead of 2026. The NRM acts like it can use the state machinery against the citizens. However, they cannot overcome them all, even if they bring all the guns out. That’s what we are seeing… and that should worry the State House. All of his arms and all of his agencies cannot sway the public. Not even the little cash given to the voters helped the case either. It was eaten, but they voted for the other guy. That’s a compelling case… Peace.

Kawempe North By-Election: Return Form for Transmission of Results (14.03.2025)

Kawempe North By-Election: The authorities create a warzone during the polls

“”I was talking to people who had not voted when UPDF soldiers arrived in two patrol vehicles and started arresting some people. When some of the security operatives saw the camera, they came and attacked me, beating me with sticks and even damaging my camera. I ran into a nearby building but since they had already identified me, I removed my press jacket and scarf and ran into a toilet for safety.”- one of NMG-U journalists, Hasifah Nanvuma” (Daily Monitor, 13.03.2025).

“Two opposition MPs and journalists are among several people who have been arrested in the ongoing Kawempe North MP by-election on yet to be known charges amid heavy military deployment and brutality from security operatives” (Daily Monitor, 13.03.2025).

“UPDF soldiers and cane-wielding men believed to be security operatives in plain clothes filmed arresting journalists covering Kawempe North MP by-election in Kazo Angola on March 13, 2025” (Daily Monitor, 13.03.2025).

“UPDF officers have assaulted journalists and confiscated their cameras while covering the Kawempe North MP by-election. This blatant attack on press freedom is unacceptable! Authorities must hold those responsible accountable and ensure journalists can work without fear” (HRNJ-Uganda, 13.03.2025).

If you believe the Kawempe North By-Election would be free and fair. The campaigns proved how bleak it would be. The signs were everywhere… and now it is official as the polls are happening.

Journalists are now vacating the By-Election, as they are targeted and gone after from the authorities. That is happening as the last few hours of voting is going on. Mere hours left of the polls and voting. They are going back to its headquarters or leaving Kawempe North as a whole. Because their gear is confiscated, harassed, hurt or even arrested. This means the eyes and ears are taken away. The public loses the vision of the journalists and means they cannot analyse the acts of the state.

It is really outrageous that the National Army, the UPDF are manhandling people and that the authorities are arresting the ones who are broadcasting the acts of the state. They are taking away the eyes on the By-Elections because they want it silenced or in the dark. The state doesn’t want the truth and their actions known to the public. That’s why the journalists are in the aim, and these are nuisance for them.

We know the NRM is busy having their organizers and people pre-ticking ballots to ensure the flagbearer is elected. That’s why they don’t videos or proof of it. The state doesn’t want their the truth out or their rigging known. Even if everyone knows and it is just business as usual. That’s why the Electoral Commission would work in coordination and with helpful manners to ensure the state wins. Regardless of the will of the people or what they want to achieve. This is why… NRM leaders and appointed leadership are participating in pre-ticking of ballots. So, expect the results to be reflected like that.

The electorate itself didn’t use violence or use any sort of force, but the state did. The state came with orders and with significant use of brutality against unarmed civilians. Therefore, we know the reason and it is evident what it wants to achieve. It wants to be able to rig the election in its favour without eyes on it. That’s why the media is in the spotlight and feeling the heat. Peace.