The High Court in Kampala has removed from its records two affidavits submitted by witnesses supporting Kawempe North MP Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi’s defense in an ongoing election petition.
On Thursday, Justice Bernard Namanya of the Civil Division granted the request by Nalukoola’s legal team—comprising Alex Luganda, Samuel Muyizzi Mulindwa, and Muhammad Mbabazi—to expunge the affidavits.
The decision followed revelations that the two witnesses had been coerced and enticed by Nalukoola’s agents to retract earlier statements given in support of a petition by NRM candidate Faridah Nambi Kigongo.
Nambi is challenging Nalukoola’s March 2025 election victory, alleging widespread electoral malpractice, including voter bribery.
Nambi closed her case with a total of nine witnesses, among them Nathan Kyemba Muwanguzi, who told the court that he was promised one million shillings by agents of the National Unity Platform (NUP)—the party on whose ticket Nalukoola contested—to withdraw an affidavit supporting Nambi’s claims.
He said he only received 200,000 shillings and is still demanding the balance.
Another witness, George William Mawumbe, claimed he was intimidated and coerced by Nalukoola’s agents—led by one Ben Ntale—into signing an affidavit on April 22nd that contradicted his original statement in support of Nambi’s petition.
Mawumbe had previously alleged he was given 5,000 shillings by Nalukoola’s team.
In court proceedings the same day, Nalukoola faced cross-examination but struggled at the outset as his lawyers failed to attach key supporting documents, including certified copies of election results, in their response to Nambi’s petition.
Nonetheless, Ritah Nabakooza, a Woman Councillor for Mpererwe and a witness for Nalukoola, testified that she had no knowledge of any voter bribery by the MP.
With the affidavits from Mawumbe and Muwanguzi expunged, Justice Namanya directed that the case will now proceed to oral submissions.
Nambi’s legal team is scheduled to present its arguments on May 19th, followed by Nalukoola’s team on May 20th. If necessary, a rejoinder will be heard on May 21st.
Nalukoola was declared the winner of the March 13, 2025 parliamentary election by the Electoral Commission, securing 17,939 votes against Nambi’s 9,058.
However, Nambi filed a petition seeking a by-election, citing irregularities including bribery and other electoral offenses.
She alleges that Nalukoola offered cash bribes, including 10,000 shillings to Kyemba Muwanguzi and 5,000 shillings each to George William Mawumbe and Geoffrey Wamukubira, among others.
The Electoral Commission, through its lawyer Eric Sabiiti, has dismissed the claims, maintaining that the election was conducted in accordance with the law.
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