KAMPALA, Uganda| The National Unity Platform member of Parliament Elias Nalukoola has presented a total of nine law firms to defend his election victory in the concluded Kawempe North by-election, which was challenged in court by the National Resistance Movement’s Faridah Nambi, citing disenfranchisement that she claims occurred at 14 polling stations.

The law firms presented include Nalukoola Advocates and Solicitors, PACE Advocates, Kaganzi& Company Advocates, Alaka & Company Advocates, Ahamark Advocates, GEM Advocates, Nyanzi & Kiboneka & Mbabazi Advocates, Mbabali Advocates and Reeve Advocates.

The lead counsel, George Musisi, served a notice of address to Nambi’s legal team, which is led by Ahmed Kalule of Crane Associates , after receiving a copy of the election petition. The legal team is expected to jointly review the petition and file Nalukoola’s response.

Nambi’s also included the Electoral Commission as the second respondent and claims that voter disenfranchisement occurred at 14 polling stations whose results were never included in the final tally. In her petition, Nambi accuses Naluukola of engaging in illegal electoral practices, including at polling stations.

She further alleges that at Mbogo Primary School Playground, Nalukoola campaigned among voters on election day by chanting his party slogan ” People Power, Our Power” and telling voters ”Yenze Nalukoola”, translated as ”It’s me, Nalukoola”.

The petition claims that Nalukoola and his campaigners obstructed voters, violating section 90 of the Parliamentary Elections Act. Specific individuals such as Ronald Nsubuga, Sserujongi Edward , Auma Scovia, Kibirigo Fred, and Sam Kasirye are mentioned for allegedly preventing voters, including Nassanga Deborah, from voting at Kalanda’s compound polling station.

The petition further asserts that at least 16,640 votes from 14 polling stations were never announced. She blamed the Electoral Commission for failing to conduct polling in a free and secure environment and for not transmitting results. The commission is further accused of mishandling electoral materials and failing to properly tally counting where necessary, which contributed to voter disenfranchisement, including herself, as she is a registered voter at Mboggo Primary School Playground.

The Electoral Commission declared Nalukkola the winner of the March 13th parliamentary by-election, securing 17939 votes against Nambi’s 9058 votes. where she was dissatisfied with the results and petitioned the High Court Civil Division last week seeking the nullification of Nalukoola’s victory and to conduct a fresh election.