MPs grill govt on electoral violence, Nalukoola swearing-in delay

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Nearly a week after the chaotic Kawempe North byelection, the scars of violence remain visible on a dozen journalists caught in the fracas.

President Yoweri Museveni, in a recent missive, condemned the disturbing incidents and vowed to have the matter thoroughly investigated.

In the run-up to the poll, the government, through industrialisation state minister David Bahati, not only distanced itself from the melee but also pledged to cover the medical bills of Miracle Ibrah, a Top TV journalist who had been assaulted earlier.

However, while the government was expected to report back on its commitments, Leader of Opposition (LOP) Joel Ssenyonyi, speaking on the floor of Parliament on Thursday, March 20, 2025, decried the escalating violence.

Pointing out that the violence worsened on polling day, he questioned why there was no urgent accountability for the government.

“Can we know who commanded this, the brutalisation of leaders, citizens, a candidate in the race, journalists who were simply doing their job? Who is responsible for this?” Ssenyonyi posed.

“I saw the Prime Minister, Minsa Kabanda, Balaam (Barugahara) make some remarks that we as the opposition were responsible. They even made remarks to the effect that we did these things to ourselves, hurt ourselves, hurt the journalists and beat them up. Some ridiculous statements, I don’t know whether that is the position of Government,” he added.

Fast forward, Ssenyonyi slammed the government for its sugar-coated promises, questioning how many perpetrators of electoral violence it had brought to book over the years.

Nalukoola swearing-in

Ibrahim Semujju Nganda (Kira Municipality, FDC). (Courtesy: X/@pwatchug)

Chipping in, Ibrahim Semujju Nganda (Kira Municipality, FDC) questioned why the House was dragging its feet on swearing in National Unity Platform’s Erias Luyimbazi Nalukoola.

“After a byelection, Hon. Micheal Mawanda was declared like today. The following day he was sworn in. Madam Speaker, as the head of this institution, can you get us to know when Hon. Nalukoola will be sworn in? Hon. Mawanda was already here within twenty-four hours,” Semujju posed.

“When a member wins, I wait for a gazette. When I get a gazette, that’s when I swear in a member. So, I am waiting for a gazette. I need to hear from the Electoral Commission,” Speaker Anita Annet Among responded.

Reacting shortly, LOP Ssenyonyi pointed out that the delay only fuels further suspicion about the powers that be.

“We did follow up with the EC, and they told us that they are still sorting internal issues. We don’t know what that means. Because in the past, as we are saying, it has been done in record time. The Electoral Commission is now functus officio. After they declare a candidate, legally they are functus officio; they no longer have any responsibility. They can’t say they are still sorting this out, investigating, or whatever the case might be,” he pressed.

Govt responds

Representing the leader of government business, minister Bahati reminded the duo that President Museveni had issued guidance on the Kawempe North byelection, calling for investigations into allegations of rigging and violence.

Minister Bahati. (Courtesy: X/@pwatchug)

“I am not adding any word to that,” Bahati stated.

His rebuttal, however, infuriated Theodore Ssekikubo, who wondered why the President must have the final say when the EC is charged with electoral matters.

“It’s not fair behind the President’s statement as if the President has taken over the constitution. It shouldn’t have stopped the Electoral Commission from exercising its constitutional mandate by declaring and indeed gazetting a successful candidate,” Ssekikubo contended.

“It is to my best interest because I want my member in the House and the constituency represented. So, we will wait for the gazette, and when we receive the gazette, we will swear in the member. Attorney General, you will need to make a follow-up on what is being raised. I have seen David (Bahati) updating you,” Among ruled.