FDC vows to sue the electoral commission over Kawempe north by-election

18 March 2025, 3:37 pm

By Ronald Ssemagonja

The Party President of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Patrick Oboi Amuriat, has confirmed the party’s decision to sue the Electoral Commission over the recently concluded Kawempe North by-election. Speaking to the media today at the party headquarters in Najjanankumbi, Kampala, Amuriat stated:

“Our own evaluation of the events before, during, and after polling day is that the entire by-election, like previous ones in Soroti City East, Kayunga district, Arua municipality, and Bukedea district, among others, amounted to a military operation intended to subvert the will of the people.”

He strongly condemned the violence against the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate and FDC supporters on nomination day, as well as the assault on journalists, some of whom were severely beaten. He also criticised the attacks on citizens and the destruction of ballot boxes.

“While we congratulate the declared winner, we wish to cast doubt on the result allocated to our candidate, which places him a distant fifth in the contest. The Electoral Commission must be held accountable for the poor management of this by-election. We will, therefore, take legal action against them,” he emphasised.

Amuriat thanked the people of Kawempe North for participating in the by-election, despite the low voter turnout. The FDC fielded Sadat Mukiibi for Member of Parliament and Ssebunya Sharif for Kazo-Angola Central.

“Going forward, the party will continue rebuilding itself in the constituency and will field candidates in future elections. Both Mr Sadat Mukiibi and Mr Sharif Ssebunya will be supported to play a pivotal role in strengthening the party in Kawempe Division,” he said.

Additionally, Amuriat confirmed that the No Cow, No Vote campaign would continue until the government compensates the people of the Greater North.

“No Cow, No Vote’ is an FDC-led call for the NRM government to account for unfulfilled promises made to the people of Uganda. The Greater North campaign seeks recognition for the deprived and underprivileged people of Teso, Lango, Acholi, and other regions. It demands full compensation for livestock and human lives lost during the first decade of NRM rule, as well as early agreements reached with fighting groups in the West Nile sub-region. It also calls for discussions on compensation for land damage, environmental degradation, and the fair sharing of oil revenue from discoveries in the Greater North region,” he explained.

In conclusion, Amuriat raised concerns about stringent bail conditions imposed by courts.

“We need to recognise that courts are weaponising bail conditions against any form of activism. Instead of ensuring that suspects return to court, these conditions are being made punitive. The six of us who were arrested were ordered to pay Uganda Shillings 32 million, while other ordinary people were required to pay Uganda Shillings 4.5 million as bail. Can you imagine?” he remarked.