Kawempe North MP-elect, Elias Nalukoola has expressed confidence that his party, the National Unity Platform (NUP), will triumph over the National Resistance Movement (NRM) if the ruling party contests his victory in court.
Nalukoola claimed victory in last week's Kawempe North by-election, defeating NRM candidate Faridah Nambi.
Despite the NRM's intention to challenge the election results, alleging irregularities such as vote rigging, Nalukoola asserts that with NUP's backing, they will succeed even in a legal battle against the NRM.
He made the remarks during a press conference at the NUP headquarters in Kavule on Monday.
"Amidst the violence, we triumphed. Even in the court we will defeat them with a bloody nose. What they are doing is reverse psychology. We shall defend our victory with every legal means possible." Nalukoola said.
The Leader of the Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, echoed Nalukoola's sentiments, asserting, "What we did in Kawempe North shall be done again in the general elections. The power of the people shall prevail over the power of the gun."
During the same press conference, NUP leader Robert Kyagulanyi hailed Nalukoola for standing firm and claiming victory despite what he described as state intimidation, harassment of Nalukoola, and the abduction of his party supporters.
“This was not about Nalukoola, it was about you the people of Kawempe. Congratulations to you. This is unprecedented in the last 40 years of Gen. Museveni. The deployment of all weapons of war, the documents of the candidates were stolen and his assistant abducted. He was also harassed on his nomination day. Little did they know that they were charging him. He gave us a good commander after all what he went through,” Kyagulanyi said.
Last week, the NRM announced its intention to contest the election, which was marred by low voter turnout, and assaults on journalists, leaving some, including NBS Television's photo journalist Francis Isano, hospitalised.
President Museveni in his recent letter, raised concerns about ballot stuffing at some polling stations, stating that an electoral and criminal investigation into the by-election had commenced.
"Allegations have surfaced, including ballot stuffing, altering results, and destroying ballot boxes in Kazo-Angola and the Mbogo Mosque zone, as some individuals apparently did not want those votes counted. There were also reports of campaigning at polling stations, intimidation, and violence," the President noted in a letter shared on social media.
Museveni said there were micro crimes during the election, which affected the outcomes, stating that everybody involved in that would be held accountable.
"The heavy deployment of security forces may have stopped mass violence, but it could not stop these micro crimes that should have been managed by the election officials. Some People really miscalculate. To think that you can commit such crimes against the law and the people when the NRM is in charge of the country is the highest form of shallowness. We shall hold everybody accountable.” President Museveni stated.
