Kawempe byelection: Materials delivered, voting starts 7:00am

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Voting in the Kawempe North byelection has started today, March 13, 2025, at 7:00 am, as scheduled by the Electoral Commission (EC).

However, there were reports of some polling stations delaying to receive the materials at the stipulated time: 7:00am

The elections are meant to replace deceased Member of Parliament Muhamad Ssegirinya, who passed on recently, and Yakub Kiggundu, the LC3 councillor of Kazo Angola. Kiggundu perished in a road crash on his way to Omoro district.

In January, the Electoral Commission released the election roadmap, setting March 13 as the date for the Kawempe North by-election. This followed the passing of Ssegirinya early last month.

Kawempe North Division, according to EC, has nine parishes out of 22 parishes making up Kawempe Division. Therefore, there are 197 polling stations.

In a social media post on X, formerly Twitter, this morning, EC said: “Polling materials have been dispatched from the Electoral Commission warehouse in Banda at exactly 5:00 am and are now heading to their respective polling stations in preparation for the opening of polls at 7:00 am.”

The elections follow an EC roadmap, which started with voter registration and identification exercise, voter's register display (February 10 to 19) and the deletion of non-voters by the EC.

From February 26 to 27, EC conducted nominations for candidates followed by the official inspection of candidates' academic documents which ran from February 27 to March 5. Thereafter, the campaigns were opened, running from February 28 to March 11. 

Candidates in the race

The candidates in the race include the National Resistance Movement's (NRM) Faridah Nambi, the National Unity Platform's Nalukoola, the Forum for Democratic Change's Sadat Mukiibi, Henry Kasacca Mubiru from the Democratic Party, Ismail Musiitwa from the People's Progressive Party.

Other independent candidates are Muhammed Lusswa Luwemba, Hanifah Karadi Murewa, Muhamood Mutazindwa, Moses Nsereko and Stanley Edward Maitum Engena the former son of former President of Uganda Apollo Milton Obote.

All the candidates seek to replace the former MP Muhammad Ssegirinya who passed away on January 9 at the age of 37 after being bedridden for a long time.