NUP leadership petition EC over violence in Kawempe By-election

The Leadership of National Unity Platform(NUP) on March 6,2025 officially filed their complaints to the Electoral Commission regarding the ongoing persecution of their supporters in the Kawempe North by-election slated to take place on March 13,2025. The Kawempe North seat fell vacant following the death of Hon. Muhammed Segirinya who passed on in January this year. 

Led by the party Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya, the disgruntled NUP members accused the Electoral Commission of failing to set an even political ground for all candidates vying for Kawempe North by-election.

” Many of our supporters are being oppressed and persecuted which implies that the political ground is not levelled for all political actors except for the ruling party candidate Faridah Nambi. Some of our supporters have been abducted and violently tortured by the Joint Anti terrorism (JAT) unit.  Our party flag bearer Counsel Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi was abducted on the nomination day .

‘ The Joint Anti Terrorism (JAT) is beating up our supporters and we wonder who is deploying them to torture our people.

‘ We have also learnt of the plot to rig the election ,and we have discovered the voters’ register has been inflated . In 2021, the number of registered voters in Kawempe North stood at 164,502 but right now the number has drastically increased to 199,392 voters . This implies an increment of 33000 voters (21%).  The increment is abnormal . We strongly condemn this and the Electoral Commission should look at this register how it looks like now, ” Rubongoya appealed.

Rubongoya condemned the continued attacks on journalists saying they should be left to do their job without any interference from security organs. 

Rubongoya also noted that it’s has become a serious crime to wear a red attire and that  many of their supporters have been forced to remove them. 

Rubongoya also expressed dismay on the presence of numberless cars in Kawempe North ahead of the by -election.

He asked the Electoral Commission to stop arresting their supporters who record vote counting as they are being read by the presiding officer at the polling station.

Rubongoya tasked the electoral Commission to explain on what happens to people arrested with pre-ticked ballot papers.

” The electoral Commission has persistently denied having any attachments with people arrested with pre-ticked ballot papers but our question is where do they get them from. This is purely double standards.

“NRM candidate has been allowed to carryout processions along the main road where as for opposition candidates this amounts to an electoral offense. 

“The electoral Commission should take charge of the election in order for the election to be free and fair for all actors involved in the exercise,” Mr. Rubongoya further appealed .’

The National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer Counsel Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi informed Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi that his official agent was abducted on the nomination day and that his official documents were also confiscated by officials of the Joint Anti Terrorism (JAT) Unit.

‘I was subjected to inhuman and degrading treatment. I’m wondering why the electoral Commission didn’t come out to criticize this evil act. Remember an election is a process not an event . Therefore, all factors must be considered. At this time we are supposed to be campaigning in Kisasi zone but we are here complaining to the electoral Commission which has no answer to our complaints , ” Counsel Nalukoola expressed pesmism.’

In his response to complaints raised by NUP Leadership,  Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi said:” We condemn the issue of violence meted out upon NUP supporters. A day ago , we had a meeting with police and we pointed out these issues which are of grave concern not only to NUP but also  to right thinking Ugandans and these episodes should not have room in our democratic processes in our elections.

On the issue of inflated voters register: ” This is untrue but what you should know registration has been going on during the update of the national voters’ register and many young people who turned 18 years and above were given the opportunity to register as first time  voters. We also had a number of voters changing their voting locations and the Law provides for this.

“Just know the electoral Commission is in charge of the by-election because we draw programs and other activities to be implemented in the by election. We discourage holding processions along the main road .

‘We are working together with stakeholders to deliver a free and fair election. I implore all stakeholders to contribute to a free and fair election.

‘ In the previous elections , we have noticed goons raiding polling stations ,and  pre-tick the ballot papers  before staffing them in the ballot box. We are going to look into this issue on a serious note . 

” I assure the people of Kawempe North that there would be adequate security on the polling day and we shall ensure wrong elements don’t destabilize the by-election, ” Justice   Simon Byabakama gave assurance.’