In a shocking turn of events, National Unity Platform (NUP) aspirant Elias Nalukoola has accused unknown individuals of abducting his agent and tricking his nomination documents hours to the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election nomination exercise. The act, which Nalukoola described as “horrible,” has left a black spot on Uganda’s democratic process and raised grave questions about the integrity of the upcoming election.

Nalukoola, who had gone to the Kawempe Electoral Commission (EC) offices on Wednesday morning, was held up and could not proceed with his nomination. The missing documents, such as evidence of paid nomination fees, were crucial for his nomination to be verified. Without the documents, he was prevented from entering the EC offices, leading him to storm out in frustration and anger.

In an address to the media outside EC headquarters, Nalukoola was candid. “This morning is awful. What has happened is awful. But we shall not lose heart or abandon the lofty cause of promoting democracy in Uganda,” he said. He also accused the government of kidnapping and stealing, calling on peace-loving Ugandans and advocates of democracy to condemn the action.

Kawempe North parliamentary constituency became vacant following the untimely death of Muhammad Ssegirinya on January 9, 2025. Ssegirinya was a well-liked community leader who had been hospitalized for weeks before he passed away. His death left a gap in the constituency, and the by-election that is to be held is seen as a turning point for Kawempe North to choose their new representative.

The nomination process, which started on February 26 and is set to end on February 27, is still taking place at the EC offices in Kawempe, across Akamwesi Mall along Gayaza Road. The claims made by Nalukoola have however marred what would otherwise have been a straightforward process. The allegations of foul play by the NUP candidate have sparked anger among his supporters and also raised eyebrows about the integrity of the electoral process.

This is not the first time that Uganda’s elections have been marred by controversy. Opposition politicians and their followers have often accused the government of using dirty tricks to undermine their campaigns. Nalukoola’s case comes at the end of a series of incidents that have increased tensions and solidified suspicion in the electoral process.

The Electoral Commission, on the other hand, has not made a detailed statement regarding the matter. EC spokesperson Julius Mucunguzi confirmed nomination was still ongoing but said nothing regarding Nalukoola’s specific allegations. This vagueness only helped to add to the frustration and confusion regarding the by-election.

At the same time, another by-election is taking place in Kazo-Angola where individuals will vote for a new councillor following the death of Yusuf Yakubu Kiggundu in a 2022 road crash. Kiggundu, a die-hard NUP party supporter, was heading to campaign for a party candidate in Omoro District when he died. His death, similar to Ssegirinya’s, had a lasting impact on the community.

The by-elections, to be conducted on March 13, 2025, are a litmus test of Uganda’s democracy. They offer the opportunity for the people to exercise their voices and for candidates to demonstrate that they are capable of serving the people. But events like the one involving Nalukoola have the potential to undermine the credibility of the process and the people’s trust in the system.

Nalukoola’s determination to press on with the challenges is an indication of his tenacity and dedication to the cause of democracy. His call for peace-loving Ugandans to stand up against oppression has won many hearts, and his people are mobilizing behind him. But the future is unsure, and the charges of abduction and theft are sure to be in the forefront of discussion during the run-up to the election.

As the nomination process goes on, all eyes will be on the Electoral Commission and the government to address these issues and ensure a free, fair, and transparent election. Kawempe North citizens deserve nothing less than a process they can trust, and it is up to the authorities to make that a success.

For now, Nalukoola’s story is a grim reminder of the challenges for Uganda’s democracy. It is an eye-opener for all who love the power of the people and the spirit of credible elections. The struggle for democracy still has a long way to go, and Nalukoola’s grit in the face of adversity is a beacon of hope for a brighter tomorrow.