The Electoral Commission (EC) has officially announced that a by-election will be held on March 13, 2025, to fill the vacant Kawempe North Parliamentary seat, following the passing of legislator Muhammad Ssegirinya.
Ssegirinya, who had been facing health challenges, passed away earlier this month at Lubaga Hospital after weeks of hospitalization. His death left a leadership gap in the constituency, prompting the EC to move forward with the process of selecting a successor.
In preparation for the by-election, the EC held a crucial meeting with stakeholders from Kawempe North, including political leaders and community representatives, to discuss the procedural and legal aspects of filling the vacancy. The meeting, held at Tick Hotel in Kawempe, addressed the steps involved in conducting the election to ensure it is transparent and in line with electoral regulations.
EC Chairperson Simon Byabakama outlined the preliminary schedule for the election, which will commence this week across the 197 polling stations in the constituency.
According to the tentative timeline, candidate nominations will take place from February 26 to 27, 2025. Following this, the inspection of candidate papers will be conducted from February 27 to March 5. Campaigns will begin on February 28 and continue until March 11.
Byabakama emphasized the importance of upholding the integrity of the electoral process, urging all stakeholders to cooperate in delivering a peaceful, free, and fair by-election. “We are all stakeholders in this exercise, and therefore, let us work together to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair by-election that satisfies all stakeholders,” Byabakama stated. He also called for calmness among candidates and reminded them to refrain from unethical practices such as voter bribery.
The EC has also stated that those wishing to serve as election observers must apply to the commission for approval. Additionally, the by-election will be overseen by Henry Makabai, the returning officer for Kawempe, with Rehema Nassuna serving as the assistant returning officer.
Byabakama highlighted the importance of community engagement, adding that the EC would continue to provide updates and encourage proposals to ensure that the election process is as transparent as possible.
The by-election, set to take place on March 13, 2025, is a critical step to ensure that the people of Kawempe North continue to have effective representation in Parliament, addressing the leadership void left by Ssegirinya’s untimely death.
