Kawempe North MP-elect Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola has issued a stern warning to authorities, threatening to personally confront officials at the Uganda Printing and Publishing Corporation (UPPC) over delays in publishing his election results in the official gazette. The fiery politician says he will not tolerate any further hold-ups preventing him from being sworn into office.

The standoff follows a tense meeting between Nalukoola’s team and Electoral Commission (EC) officials, where it was revealed that while the EC had processed his documents, the UPPC had yet to complete the final publication step. Without appearing in the gazette, Nalukoola cannot legally assume his parliamentary position despite winning the February elections.

“I’m giving them until tomorrow morning,” an agitated Nalukoola declared after the meeting. “If my name isn’t gazetted by then, I will march to UPPC offices myself and demand answers. This delay is completely unacceptable.”

The National Unity Platform (NUP) legislator was accompanied by party Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya and lawyer George Musisi during the EC visit. Rubongoya confirmed that all necessary documents had been forwarded to the government printer, shifting blame for the holdup squarely onto UPPC’s shoulders.

Adding fuel to the fire, Nalukoola made fresh allegations about military interference in his constituency. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers from Kawempe North, accusing them of abducting his election agents and forcing them to sign false affidavits. These documents, he claims, were meant to fabricate grounds for challenging his victory in court.

“The army has no business remaining in our area after elections,” Nalukoola stated. “Their continued presence and intimidation of my supporters shows this government’s unwillingness to accept democratic outcomes.”

EC spokesperson Paul Bukenya sought to calm tensions, maintaining that the Commission was operating within legal timeframes. “There are proper procedures we follow, and we can’t act outside the law,” Bukenya explained. “The process is ongoing, and we don’t anticipate any unnecessary delays.”

Reliable sources within government circles revealed that UPPC was expected to return Nalukoola’s documents to the EC for final verification before publication. However, the MP-elect remains skeptical, vowing to take matters into his own hands if the situation isn’t resolved promptly.

This latest confrontation highlights growing tensions between opposition politicians and government institutions over election processes. Nalukoola’s threat of direct action echoes similar standoffs witnessed during previous election cycles, where newly elected officials have had to fight bureaucratic hurdles before assuming office.

Political analysts warn that such delays risk undermining public confidence in electoral institutions. “When winners can’t take office smoothly, it creates unnecessary tension and fuels suspicions about the system’s fairness,” observed Kampala-based governance expert Dr. Sarah Bireete.

As the deadline looms, all eyes remain on the UPPC offices. Whether Nalukoola makes good on his threat may depend on whether his name appears in Thursday’s gazette. One thing is certain – the fiery MP-elect has shown he won’t go quietly into the night when it comes to claiming what he believes is his rightful place in Parliament.

The standoff also raises broader questions about election timelines and the efficiency of Uganda’s post-election procedures. With several other newly elected officials reportedly facing similar delays, there are calls for systemic reforms to prevent such confrontations in future elections.

For now, the ball rests in UPPC’s court. How they respond could either defuse the growing tension or spark another dramatic chapter in Uganda’s often contentious political landscape. One way or another, Kawempe North’s voters are waiting to see their chosen representative take office – and Nalukoola has made it clear he’s ready to fight to make that happen.