The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has disputed the results of last week’s Kawempe North by-election, arguing that the outcome does not reflect the party’s actual support in the constituency.
Speaking at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, FDC president Patrick Amuriat Oboi expressed dissatisfaction with the 239 votes allocated to their candidate, Sadat Mukiibi (Khalifa Aganaga), placing him fifth in the race. He attributed this to military interference and uncounted votes in some polling stations.
The Electoral Commission declared Elias Nalukoola Luyimbaazi (NUP) as the winner with 17,764 votes, followed by Faridah Nambi (NRM) with 8,593 votes. Two independent candidates, Murerwa Hanifah (381 votes) and Lusswa Muhammad (240 votes), also outperformed Mukiibi.
Amuriat also criticized the Electoral Commission for failing to declare a winner for the Councilor Kazo-Angola Central position after polling materials were destroyed. He confirmed that FDC would seek legal redress to recover the costs incurred during the election.
His remarks follow similar complaints from the NRM, which has accused NUP of election-related violence and has vowed to challenge the results in court. However, Amuriat dismissed this move as an attempt to undermine democracy and urged President Yoweri Museveni to respect the will of the people.
Additionally, Amuriat condemned the violent attacks on journalists covering the election, demanding accountability and justice for those assaulted by security forces.
The FDC maintains that the election was poorly managed and that both the Electoral Commission and security forces must be held accountable.
