The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has announced plans to seek legal redress over costs incurred during the Kawempe North by-election, where its candidate, Sadat Mukiibi, alias Aganaga, performed dismally.
Mukiibi garnered only 239 of the 27,596 votes cast in the election held to replace the late Muhammad Ssegirinya. The seat was won by the National Unity Platform’s (NUP) Luyimbazi Nalukoola, who secured 17,764 votes.
Speaking at a press conference at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, FDC president Patrick Amuriat Oboi expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome, insisting that the results did not reflect the party’s actual support in the constituency.
“The results can never be a reflection of our strength in the division,” Amuriat stated.
He attributed Mukiibi’s poor performance to heavy security deployment, which he claimed created an intimidating environment for FDC supporters. Amuriat alleged that security operatives were actively involved in the electoral process from the nomination stage through to polling day.
The election was marred by incidents of violence, with at least 15 polling stations having their results excluded from the final tally by the Electoral Commission. One of these, according to FDC, was the polling station where Mukiibi himself cast his vote.
As a result, Amuriat revealed that the party would be heading to court to demand compensation for the resources spent on the by-election.
“We shall be embarking on the court process, demanding compensation for the costs incurred during the process,” he declared.
Meanwhile, the ruling party has also expressed dissatisfaction with the election outcome and declared intentions to challenge the results in court.