Electoral Commission Uganda has said it is awaiting formal communication from Parliament before issuing a roadmap for a by-election in Kalangala District following the death of Woman MP-elect Hellen Nakimuli.
Justice Simon Byabakama, the Commission chairperson, said the electoral body can only act after receiving official notification from the Clerk to Parliament, as required by law.
Nakimuli, who was both the incumbent Woman Member of Parliament and the MP-elect for the next term, died on Sunday evening after undergoing surgery at Alexandra Medical Centre.
Byabakama explained that under the Constitution, any parliamentary vacancy arising from death, resignation, or court action must first be formally communicated to the Commission within 10 days by the Clerk to Parliament.
“As the Commission, we are waiting for official communication from the Clerk to Parliament. Once that is received, we shall be able to lay out the roadmap for the by-election in accordance with the law,” he said.
He added that the Commission is mandated to organize a by-election within 60 days after receiving the notification.
The EC chairperson noted that Nakimuli’s case presents a unique legal situation, as she was serving her current term, which ends on May 12, while also having been elected for the next parliamentary term.
This means that when the new Parliament is constituted, Kalangala District will lack a Woman MP until a by-election is conducted.
Byabakama clarified that it is not feasible to organize a by-election before the expiry of the current term due to the limited timeframe.
He described the development as unfortunate, noting that the Commission remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional obligation to ensure representation once the required procedures are completed.
