National Resistance Movement candidate Aidah Nabayiga has been declared winner of the Kalangala District Woman Member of Parliament by-election.
Kalangala District Electoral Commission Returning Officer Ronald Agaba announced the results at 2:53 am on Thursday. He declared Nabayiga elected after she polled 12,642 votes.
Her closest rival, Irene Nampala of the opposition National Unity Platform, received 7,474 votes.
Independent candidate Sarah Babirye came third with 244 votes. Hellen Flavia Nagawa followed with 217 votes, while Agnes Nassuna received 34 votes.
Electoral Commission Announces Final Tally
According to the Electoral Commission, voters cast 21,038 votes across 115 polling stations in Kalangala District.
The commission recorded 427 invalid votes and 67 spoilt ballot papers.
Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama praised the candidates and voters for maintaining peace during the campaigns and polling exercise.
He said the commission did not record any major incidents. He also commended voters and candidates for showing tolerance during and after the by-election.
Nabayiga Pledges Unity and Service Delivery
Nabayiga now returns to Parliament after losing the Kalangala Woman MP seat in the 2021 general elections.
She had previously served one term before losing to NUP’s Hellen Nakimuli, who later died before taking the oath of office.
Speaking after her declaration, Nabayiga said she would focus on restoring unity among the people of Kalangala.
She also pledged to strengthen the NRM party and revive stalled public service projects in the district.
NUP Candidate Challenges Results
Before the final declaration, NUP candidate Irene Nampala and her team rejected the outcome.
Nampala alleged manipulation of declaration of results forms. She claimed that in some polling stations, security personnel chased away her agents before results were allegedly altered and submitted to the tally centre.
She also alleged irregularities in parts of Kyamuswa County. According to Nampala, some areas recorded ballot papers counted above the number of registered voters on the Electoral Commission register.
She described the claims as evidence of electoral malpractice.
Nampala said her team raised the concerns with the Returning Officer, but they were not adequately addressed. She added that her team had collected evidence to guide their next course of action.