Uganda: Parliament Condemns Brutality in Kawempe North By-Election, Demands Accountability

NBS photojournalist Francis Isano writhing in pain as he is evacuated to hospital (file photo)
21 March 2025

Parliament has strongly condemned the brutality exhibited against voters and journalists during the recently concluded Kawempe North Parliamentary by-election.

The condemnation comes after legislators, led by the Leader of the Opposition in Parliament Joel Ssenyonyi, castigated the electoral violence exhibited in the by-election.

"This brutality undermines the respect of human rights and discredits the practice of democracy in Uganda," said Ssenyonyi.

"The government must explain the decisive action taken against those who brutalized voters and journalists."

In response, State Minister for Industry David Bahati claimed that the President's letter, issued on Sunday last week, addresses all concerns regarding the Kawempe North by-election. However, this response angered legislators, who demanded that Bahati table the president's statement.

Meanwhile, Parliament has also tasked the Electoral Commission to explain the delay in gazetting newly elected MP Elias Nalukola. The delay has prevented Nalukola from taking his oath of office and assuming his duties as the legislator for Kawempe North.

"I'm still waiting for Nalukola's gazette," said Speaker Anita Among. "The Electoral Commission must explain why they have delayed gazetting the newly elected MP."

Legislators argued that delaying Nalukola's gazetting denies the people of Kawempe North representation in Parliament.

"The Electoral Commission's delay is unacceptable and undermines the democratic process," said MP Ssekikubo Theodore.

AllAfrica publishes around 500 reports a day from more than 110 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.