Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) has conceded defeat and congratulated the National Unity Platform (NUP) upon emerging victors in the Kawempe North by-election held on Thursday last week.

FDC party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat said on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, that whereas they accept defeat, they have doubts about the results allocated to their candidate Mukiibi Sadat that saw him take up the fifth spot in the race.

“As we congratulate the declared winner of the by-election, we wish to cast doubt on the result allocated to our candidate, which places him a distant 5th in the contest. Having previously participated in elections in Kawempe North, we affirm that this result can never be a reflection of our strength in this particular constituency,” he said. 

Amuriat also condemned the brutality exhibited by security operatives during the by-election, saying it presents a grim picture of Uganda’s democracy and is a great worry for a free, fair, and credible 2026 general election.  

“This kind of violence coming at the start of the next election cycle presents a grim picture for our democracy and is a great worry for a free, fair, and credible 2026 general election. We call upon the authorities to institute measures that will be needed to avoid a repeat of the mess that played out during the Kawempe North by-election,” he added. 

FDC party president further claimed that the National Resistance Movement has no right to contest the outcome of the FDC by-election, branding the contest as an attempt to undermine the democratic process and disregard the will of the people.

NRM came out to reject the results of the Kawempe by-election in which National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Elias Luyimbazi Nalukoola emerged victor.

NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong said in a statement that the election was marred by violence, voter suppression, and electoral malpractices orchestrated by opposition supporters.

“The acts of violence reported at several polling stations in Kawempe North were carried out by supporters and sympathizers of the National Unity Platform (NUP) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC),” the statement read in part.

Luyimbazi Elias Nalukoola of the National Unity Platform (NUP) won the Kawempe North parliamentary by-election with 17,764 votes, defeating his closest rival, Namabi Faridah Kigongo of the NRM, who secured 8,593 votes. The by-election was held after the seat fell vacant following the death of Muhammad. 

By chimpReports