National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, Elias Nalukoola, has alleged that his agent was abducted and his official nomination documents stolen ahead of the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election nomination process today.
Nalukoola, who appeared visibly stranded outside the Kawempe Electoral Commission (EC) offices, stated that the missing documents including receipts for paid nomination fees were critical for his nomination. As a result, he was denied access to the EC offices.
“This morning is horrible. What has been done is horrible. But we shall not surrender or abandon the noble cause of promoting democracy in Uganda,” Nalukoola told journalists.
He further accused the government of orchestrating the abduction and urged peace-loving Ugandans and democracy supporters to condemn the incident.
The Electoral Commission (EC) began the nomination exercise today for candidates contesting in the Kawempe Division North parliamentary by-election and the Kazo-Angola councillor seat.
According to EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi, the two-day nomination process will run from Wednesday, February 26, to Thursday, February 27, at the EC offices in Kawempe, located near Akamwesi Mall along Gayaza Road.
The Kawempe North parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of Muhammad Ssegirinya on January 9, 2025, after weeks of hospitalisation.
Meanwhile, the Kazo-Angola councillor position became vacant after the death of Yusuf Yakubu Kiggundu in a 2022 road accident while he was on his way to campaign for an NUP candidate in Omoro District.
The Electoral Commission has scheduled the by-election for March 13, 2025.