DID NRM WIN A CASE OR LOSE THE PLOT ?

Was Justice Served or Just Seasoned? Nambi vs. Nalukoola: A Win in Court, A Loss in the Court of Public Opinion?

By Jephther Prince Wamboka 
The Frontiers - Kawempe North 
 
Ugandan politics just got another courtroom twist. The High Court has ruled in favor of Faridah Nambi, nullifying the just concluded election of Elias Nalukoola Luyimbazi as MP for Kawempe North. But while the judge may have banged the gavel, the people may not be banging the drums for Nambi just yet. Let's unpack the drama.

Grounds of the Petition: Alleged Electoral Malpractice
Nambi petitioned the court inter alia on grounds of illegal practices, non-compliance with electoral laws, and voter disenfranchisement. From allegations of campaigning on polling day to unauthorised persons, including the musical celebrities, invading polling stations, the court had quite the evidentiary buffet to sample. 

Notably, 14 polling stations failed to return results—affecting over 16,000 registered voters—raising substantial questions on whether the principles of free and fair elections under the Parliamentary Elections Act were upheld. With the winning margin a mere 8,881 votes, the court found this irregularity not merely technical, but substantial in effect.

Witness Tampering & Affidavit Acrobatics
In a move that could make a seasoned trial lawyer sweat, several of Nambi’s witnesses executed sharp U-turns—retracting their sworn affidavits. Her legal team alleged witness tampering, potentially constituting obstruction of justice, a serious matter in any jurisdiction.

Yet, the court allowed cross-examination of only four witnesses, deeming others to have submitted inadmissible hearsay or self-contradictory depositions. This selective scrutiny kept the court's docket clean, but left some wondering whether procedural justice outweighed substantive justice.

Expedited Justice: A Rare Occurrence
In a land where legal proceedings often move slower than Parliament on a Friday afternoon, this case sprinted. Compared to other election petitions still stuck in procedural quagmires, Nambi’s was resolved in record time. Coincidence? Or a sign of high-stakes interests seeking pre-2026 clarity?

Political Optics: Victory or Pyrrhic Triumph?
Legally, Nambi may have secured a declaratory judgment in her favour—but politically, this could be a Pyrrhic victory. In a heavily opposition-leaning urban constituency like Kawempe North, winning via judicial intervention may carry a perception of imposed authority, not electoral mandate.

Meanwhile, Nalukoola, though unseated, walks away bolstered—as a political martyr in the eyes of many, especially with the narrative that "they couldn’t beat him at the ballot, so they went to court." In effect, NUP walks away with narrative capital, and that’s a currency with long-term interest, if one is to put the coming elections in perspective 

Final Submission
Did the NRM truly reclaim political territory, or merely stir up resistance dressed in robes of legal righteousness? As we approach the 2026 elections, one must ask:
Are courts becoming arenas for justice—or just tools in a broader political chess game?

One thing's for sure: in Uganda’s political drama, the next season is already writing itself.
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