Faridah Nambi, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate in the Kawempe North by-election, has officially withdrawn her petition seeking a vote recount, ending days of uncertainty surrounding the election outcome.
Nambi had filed the petition with the Kawempe Chief Magistrate’s Court after the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) candidate, Nalukoola Luyimbazi, was declared the winner of the highly contested by-election.
In a letter dated March 25, 2025, Nambi’s lawyers, Atwijukire Dennis Advocates, informed the court that their client was withdrawing the application, citing the Electoral Commission’s gazetting of Nalukoola’s victory as the reason.
“We have instructions from the applicant to withdraw the above application. The Electoral Commission has already gazetted Mr. Elias Nalukoola, and so the application has been overtaken by events,” the letter reads.
The Electoral Commission had officially gazetted the results on March 24, 2025, confirming Nalukoola as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Kawempe North.
Nambi’s withdrawal effectively closes any immediate legal challenge to the by-election results, paving the way for Nalukoola’s swearing-in.
Political analysts view this development as a significant win for the National Unity Platform, which has sought to strengthen its position in Kampala. Meanwhile, NRM insiders suggest the party may now shift its focus toward preparing for future electoral battles.