Kawempe byelection: EC's Byabakama orders impounding cars without number plates

____________________

Hours leading to the Kawempe North polling, the Opposition reported to the Electoral Commission (EC) that several cars without number plates had surfaced in the constituency and nothing was being done to them.

National Unity Platform (NUP) secretary general David Rubongoya presented the matter to EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama at the Institute of Public Health Auditorium, Makerere University in Kampala City on the evening of March 12.

However, Byabakama noted that they do not expect to see vehicles without number plates moving within Kawempe North adding that this a violation of the law.

“Who are these people that are moving in numberless vehicles that Police just give a green light to go? If these cars are seen, they should be impounded,” Byabakama said.

According to the Traffic and Road Safety Act, traffic Police is mandated to impound a vehicle without number plates wherever it is seen and the driver fined shillings 100,000.

Byabakama revealed that 199,064 voters are expected to cast their votes today, March 13, 2025. The voting which started at 7:00am, is expected to close by 4:00pm.

The males are 94,512 representing 47% while the females are 104,552 representing 53%.

Byabakama noted that when it clocks 4:00pm and there are some voters that are within the voting line, they will be allowed to vote; however, no voter will be allowed to join the voting line beyond 4:00pm.

National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate in the Kawempa North Member of Parliament by-election, Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi raising a concern during the pre-polling stakeholders'engagement meeting. (Photo by Simon Peter Tumwine)

Byabakama noted that candidate agents will not be allowed to assist any voter to cast their vote, adding that it is only the Electoral Commission officials or a person that the voter is with adding that the polling exercise will only begin after 10 voters are present at the polling station.

Present ballot staffing evidence

On ballot staffing, Byabakama noted that if there is any evidence of ballot staffing, it should be presented.

“For the issues of ballot staffing in Namere, I wish you had some evidence in either a video format or a ballot paper form. In case of any suspected ballot staffing, kindly report to the police,” Byabakama said.

Byabakama noted that all the ballot papers are still intact and have not been tampered with.

Kampala Metropolitan Police spokesperson Patrick Onyango revealed that security agencies have been put on high alert to counter civil disobedience and any election violence, adding that there will be mobile forces responsible for foot and motorised patrols to attend to emergencies.

He revealed that during the election period, all the deployed forces will demonstrate discipline and professionalism throughout the exercise, adding that the deployed forces will respect the civilian population throughout the operation.

The candidates in the race include the National Resistance Movement's (NRM) faridah Nambi, National Unity Platform's (NUP) Nalukoola, Forum for Democratic Change's (FDC) Sadat Mukiibi, Henry Kasacca Mubiru from the Democratic Party (DP), Ismail Musiitwa from People’s Progressive Party (PPP).

Other independent candidates are Muhammed Lusswa Luwemba, Hanifah Karadi Murewa, Muhamood Mutazindwa, Moses Nsereko and Stanley Edward Maitum Engena the former son of former President of Uganda Apollo Milton Obote.

All the candidates seek to replace the former MP Muhammad Ssegirinya who passed away on January 9 at the age of 37 years after being bedridden for a long time.