The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) has called for a forensic audit into the recent Kawempe North by-election, citing irregularities that may have influenced the outcome.
Richard Todwong, the party’s Secretary General, insists that the NRM’s loss was not a fair reflection of the people’s will and has demanded an investigation into all key stakeholders involved in the process.
Speaking on NBS Television’s Morning Breeze, Todwong questioned the credibility of the election that saw National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi defeat NRM’s Faridah Nambi. Nalukoola secured 17,764 votes against Nambi’s 8,593, despite the heavy deployment of security forces during the polls.
“We have lost elections before, but this one is different. There is something deeper that must be investigated,” Todwong asserted, emphasizing the need to scrutinize both NRM and NUP’s conduct during the election.
NRM has also expressed concerns about the role of the Electoral Commission and the security forces, arguing that their actions should also come under review. Todwong’s call aligns with the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC), which has already declared its intention to challenge the election results in court, citing voter intimidation and other irregularities.
While NUP has dismissed these allegations, opposition leaders and civil society groups are watching closely, as this forensic audit could set a precedent for future electoral disputes. With the political temperature rising, the battle over Kawempe North’s by-election results is far from over.