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Speaker Anita Among Sets Swearing-in Date for Kawempe North MP-elect Elias Nalukoola
Kawempe North MP-elect, Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola, is scheduled to be sworn in today following the Electoral Commission’s gazetting of his victory recently.
KAMPALA – The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, has confirmed that she will preside over the swearing-in of Kawempe North MP-elect Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola on Wednesday, March 26, 2024.
This follows official communication from the Electoral Commission (EC) confirming the results of the recently concluded by-election, in which National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Nalukoola emerged victorious.
In a statement posted on her X (formerly Twitter) account, Ms Among announced that she had received a copy of the gazetted election results and would proceed with the necessary parliamentary procedures.
“I have received official communication from the Electoral Commission along with a copy of the gazetted results,” she said.
“I will proceed to swear in the Member of Parliament-elect for Kawempe North in my chambers tomorrow at 12 noon. I would like to congratulate Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi on his victory.”
Delay in Gazetting Nalukoola
Nalukoola’s swearing-in comes barely a day after he was officially gazetted by the EC, a delay that had raised concerns among the public and NUP leadership.
On March 24, the MP-elect, accompanied by NUP Secretary-General Lewis Rubongoya and party lawyer George Musisi, visited the EC offices in Kampala’s Industrial Area seeking clarity on when he would be gazetted.
The delay had sparked speculation, given the usual promptness with which election results are published in the Uganda Gazette.
Nalukoola was declared the winner of the Kawempe North by-election after securing over 17,700 votes, while his closest rival, Faridah Nambi, managed just above 9,500 votes.
His swearing-in will officially allow him to take up his seat in Parliament and participate in legislative business.
The Kawempe North seat fell vacant following the nullification of former MP Muhammad Ssegirinya’s election over discrepancies in his academic qualifications.
As Nalukoola prepares to take office, attention now shifts to how he will represent the people of Kawempe North in Parliament, particularly on the key issues that defined his campaign.
NUP Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya questioned the delay in gazetting Nalukoola’s victory, stating that it was a deliberate attempt to overturn his win.
Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi welcomed the development, saying, “The pressure from all corners has paid off. We’re now awaiting the swearing-in of our colleague so he can serve Kawempe North and Uganda at large”.