FDC to Sue Electoral Commission Over Kawempe North By-Election Chaos

The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has announced its intention to drag the Electoral Commission (EC) to court, accusing it of gross negligence and failure to organize a free and fair by-election in Kawempe North. The decision follows widespread reports of violence, voter intimidation, and alleged manipulation of results during the election.

In a press conference held today at the FDC party headquarters, FDC President condemned the actions of the EC and its chairperson, Justice Simon Byabakama, accusing them of failing in their duty to ensure credible elections. The president described the by-election as a “sham” and pointed out numerous irregularities that marred the voting process.

The election, held to fill the vacant Kawempe North parliamentary seat, saw chaotic scenes characterized by the brutal arrest of voters, beatings of journalists, and heightened security presence that many believe was intended to intimidate opposition supporters. The FDC President expressed outrage over the violence, calling it a deliberate attempt to suppress the will of the people.

The by-election results declared by the EC placed the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, Erias Nalukoola Luyimbazi, as the winner with 17,764 votes. He was followed by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Nambi Faridah, who garnered 8,593 votes. However, the most controversial aspect of the results was the shockingly low tally of 239 votes for the FDC candidate, Sadat Mukiibi, popularly known as Khalifa Aganaga.

The FDC President rejected the outcome, arguing that it was inconceivable for Khalifa Aganaga to perform so poorly in a constituency where he enjoys considerable support. “We cannot accept these fabricated results. It is impossible for our candidate to score only 239 votes out of the entire constituency,” he said. He further accused Byabakama and his team of “sleeping on the job” and failing to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

The FDC President also called upon civil society organizations, election observers, and the international community to take note of the deteriorating state of democracy in Uganda. He emphasized that the party would not rest until justice is served and the true will of the people of Kawempe North is upheld.

The chaotic by-election has sparked a public outcry, with various political commentators and rights activists condemning the use of force and violence. Social media has been awash with criticism of the EC and the security forces, with many users calling for accountability and an overhaul of the electoral system.

Political analysts have warned that if the alleged malpractice is not addressed, it could further erode public trust in Uganda’s electoral process and deepen political divisions.

As the FDC prepares to take its case to court, Ugandans are keenly watching how the judiciary will handle the matter, given the contentious nature of recent elections in the country. The party maintains that it will not accept fraudulent outcomes and will continue to fight for electoral justice.

The FDC’s legal battle against the Electoral Commission could set a precedent for how future electoral disputes are handled, and many await the court’s decision with bated breath.