Our Candidate Was Cheated - Balaam

Politics

Minister Balaam says Faridah Nambi was cheated

FRI 14 MAR, 2025 02:54

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Balaam, the minister for youth and children's affairs, took to social media to express his dissatisfaction, claiming NRM had been unfairly denied the seat.

The National Unity Platform (NUP) has reclaimed Kawempe North in a by-election marred by allegations of electoral malpractice, with government minister Balaam Barugahara dismissing the outcome as fraudulent.

Lawyer Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola secured victory with 17,764 votes, defeating the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Faridah Nambi, who garnered 8,593 votes.

However, the low voter turnout and heavy security presence cast a long shadow over the poll, with NUP Secretary General David Lewis Rubongoya calling it a “bitter sweet victory.”

Balaam, the minister for youth and children's affairs, took to social media to express his dissatisfaction, claiming NRM had been unfairly denied the seat.

"Congratulations, Hon Luyimbazi Nalukoola, on your win in the Kawempe North Parliamentary by-election," he posted on X. "I wish you well, despite concerns about the election's legitimacy. Our candidate was cheated.”

Minister Balaam's claims will have played in for President Museveni, who has always accused the NUP of rigging elections he himself won in the past.

He called on ruling party supporters to regroup and “reclaim the seat in 2026” - never mind that it was never with the NRM in the first place.

For NUP, Nalukoola’s triumph was expected once he secured the party flag, given the constituency’s strong opposition leanings. Yet the lead-up to the election was fraught with intimidation, according to opposition figures.

Chief of Defence Forces General Muhoozi Kainerugaba had issued a chilling statement before the vote, saying, “NRM must win Kawempe North even if it means killing all polling agents, do it.” The remark, widely condemned, reinforced fears of state interference in the electoral process.

Despite this, NUP supporters turned out in sufficient numbers to secure the seat, marking what they see as a symbolic victory after their disputed loss in the 2021 Kayunga LC5 by-election.

“This is not my victory. It is the victory of Uganda and the people of Kawempe North,” said Nalukoola. “I thank NUP and all our leaders, the foot soldiers, and the people of Kawempe North for standing firm. Your voice has been heard.”

Independent candidate Hanifah Karadi, who finished third with 381 votes, cited pre-ticked ballots and voter intimidation as significant issues.

"While the voting day appeared calm, many voters were hesitant to turn up due to the heavy security deployment," she said.

The presence of armed personnel had been a contentious topic, with a heavy security deployment in the days leading up to the election. Journalists were also targeted, further fueling allegations of voter suppression.

Final Results