City lawyer Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola will represent the National Unity Platform (NUP) in the Kawempe North by-election set for March 13.
NUP, Uganda’s biggest opposition party, picked Luyimbazi after a heated contest that drew ten aspirants. Among them was Muhammad Lussa Luwemba, a former aide to the late Muhammad Ssegirinya, who even changed his name and religion in a bid to secure the ticket.
NUP’s Election Management Committee (EMC) chairperson, Mercy Walukaba, announced that Nalukoola secured 71% of the vote. The selection process was based on vetting (40%), debate performance (10%), and ground visibility and mobilization (50%).
Nalukoola, a longtime Democratic Party (DP) member and legal advisor, left DP in October 2024 after the party signed a cooperation agreement with the ruling NRM.
Ssegirinya, who passed away on January 9, was a vocal MP known for his activism and strong ties to his constituents. His death left the seat open, and NUP is widely expected to retain it.
To prevent internal divisions, all ten aspirants signed an agreement pledging not to run as independents if they lost the party ticket.
More details to come…
 in the Kawempe North by-election set for March 13.){kind=link}