NRM’S CITY HALL POWER PLAY: The Electoral Commission is accused of undermining democracy

By Guest Writer
The Electoral Commission’s (EC) decision to hold a by-election in Nakawa’s Naguru I and II parishes on Thursday March 13, 2026, without a court order, has sparked outrage, with allegations of gherremandering and blatant disregard for electoral laws.

The move has been deemed a blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and pave the way for the NRM regime to gain an unfair advantage in the KCCA Authority Speaker position. The EC’s actions contravene the principle of functus officio, as they had already declared Luyombya the winner of the January 22, 2026, election with a significant majority of 55.23%.

The EC’s decision to hold a by-election, citing “erroneous assignment of voters”, has been deemed an attempt to undermine the will of the people. As noted in _Ntensibe Kibla Amanoti v Independent Electoral Commission (2021)_, post-election challenges must follow strict timelines and procedures, highlighting the importance of judicial oversight. The EC’s actions have also been criticized for disregarding the ruling in _Wanyoto v Electoral Commission and Anor (2021)_, which emphasized that EC decisions are binding unless overturned by a court.

The current balance of power at City Hall, where NUP holds 18 Authority Councilors and the Lord Mayor, while NRM has 16 Authority Councilors, hangs in the balance. The EC’s decision is indeed a desperate attempt to alter the outcome, with the NRM regime seeking to gain the required numbers to secure the KCCA Authority Speaker position. The people of Nakawa demand fair representation, not manipulation. (For comments on this story, get back to us on 0705579994 [WhatsApp line], 0779411734 & 041 4674611 or email us at mulengeranews@gmail.com).