The Electoral Commission (EC) Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, has revealed that a by election to fill the kalangala District Woman MP seat, following the sudden death of the incumbent and re-elected MP Hellen Nakimuli, will be held following the swearing in of Members of Parliament for the 12th Parliament.
While condoling with the family and constituents of the late legislator, Justice Byamukama ruled out a by election for the post before the MP’s are sworn in set for 13th – 15th May.
“Under the law, once a vacancy occurs in a Parliament, either through death or through court process or through the resignation of a Member of Parliament, the Constitution requires that the Clerk of Parliament should notify the Electoral Commission within 10 days of the occurrence of that vacancy” he said.
Justice Byamukama noted that it’s after the notice that the Electoral Commission is required to hold a by- election to fill that vacancy within 60 days from the date of notification by the Clerk of Parliament.
Byamukama noted that however the commission is waiting for notification from Parliament in the death of Namuli, who was the incumbent woman MP for Kalangala district and was set to swear in for a second term next month.
“This is a very peculiar situation, one, she was the incumbent Member of Parliament whose term is set to lapse on the 12th of May, together with other Members of Parliament. She is the Member of Parliament elect for Kalangala District, woman representative, Kalangala District” he said.
He added, “This means, therefore, that on the 13th of May, when the new term for government commences and the Members of Parliament begin to take oath in the programme that Parliament has worked out, there will be no more to take oath as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Kalangala District, because the MP-elect has passed on”.
Justice Byamukama said it’s then that by–election will be carried out to fill the vacancy as required by the constitution.
“When that time comes, we shall notify the people of Uganda and the people of Kalangala District in particular, that the programme to fill this vacancy will run as follows” he said.
Justice Byamukama further compared the Kalangala by election to Kikuube District where the elected District chairperson passed on in an accident after securing the seat.
“We are also working out a programme to fill that vacancy, because it has already been notified by the Chief Administrative Officer, as required under the Local Governments Act” he said.
Justice Byamukama reiterated that the commission is waiting for formal communication from the clerk of Parliament about the existing vacancy.
“We cannot hold a by-election to fill the vacancy in the remaining days to the 12th of May” he said.
Hellen Nakimuli passed on Sunday afternoon following an unsuccessful uterine fibroid removal operation at Alexandros Medical Center.
Nakimuli’s Burial Program
The NUP spokesperson Joel Ssenyonyi has revealed that Nakimuli’s body will be taken to Kalangala District on Monday for vigil.
On Tuesday, there will be a district council meeting in her honor.
On Wednesday body will be at Parliament, after which body will be taken to NUP headquarters in Kavule for party members to pay lasts respects followed by a vigil at the family home in Namugoona.
On Thursday morning, there will be a funeral service at the Orthodox Church in Namugoona and burial will be held on the same day in Luweero at the family burial grounds in Lunyolya, Kayunga Luwero.
