Kira Municipality MP, Ssemujju Nganda has raised concerns over the delayed swearing-in of Kawempe North MP-elect Elias Nalukoola.
Ssemujju questioned Speaker of Parliament Anita Among demanding an explanation as to why Nalukoola’s swearing-in has dragged on while some MPs particularly those aligned with the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) were sworn in within 24 hours of their victory.
The controversy puts Parliament and the Electoral Commission under scrutiny over what many see as political favoritism and selective application of procedures.
Elias Nalukoola a lawyer and opposition-leaning politician emerged victorious in the recent Kawempe North by-election.
However despite his win, he remains in political midpoint waiting for the official swearing-in ceremony that grants him full legislative authority.
Ssemujju, known for his vocal criticism of government inconsistencies took to the floor of Parliament to highlight the glaring differences.
He pointed out that when Michael Mawanda won the Igara East by-election, he was sworn in the next day a stark contrast to Nalukoola’s predicament.
In response, Speaker Anita Among stated that she had not yet received the gazetted results from the Electoral Commission.
“When a member wins, I wait for the gazette. When I get the gazette, that is when I swear in the member. So, I am waiting for the gazette. I need to hear from the Electoral Commission,” she remarked.
This explanation however, has done little to suppress concerns, as opposition argue that similar delays were not observed in previous cases involving ruling party MPs.
The delay raises fundamental questions about the integrity of Uganda’s parliamentary procedures.
For years, Uganda’s opposition has accused government institutions of double standards and this case adds fuel to that argument. If precedent is anything to go by, the swift swearing-in of NRM-affiliated MPs while opposition politicians face delays does little to build public confidence in Parliament’s impartiality.
Beyond individual political interests, this case carries wider implications for Uganda’s democracy. This incident not only affects Nalukoola but also the people of Kawempe North, who have a constitutional right to full representation in Parliament.
