Speaker Anita Among Orders Brand New Vehicle for MP Nalukoola

The Speaker of Uganda's Parliament, Nalongo Anita Among, has directed Adolf Mwesige, the Clerk to Parliament, to quickly buy a brand-new SUV vehicle for Erias Nalukoola Luyimbazi, the new MP for Kawempe North. She made this directive on Wednesday during Nalukoola’s swearing-in ceremony.

Speaker Among explained that the ceremony was held in her Board Room because Parliament currently does not hold plenary sessions, allowing committees to review ministerial policy statements.

Anita Among warmly addressed the new MP as "Erias," creating a friendly atmosphere. She laughed and applauded warmly as Nalukoola introduced his family members including his father Hajji Swaib Sserunjogi, his wife Shakirah Nansukusa, and one of his children.

Nalukoola also introduced supporters who accompanied him, such as Bobi Giant and spiritual leader Nasser Kibirige Takuba, a former Mayor of Kawempe Division.

During his speech, Nalukoola humorously requested Speaker Among to allow him more speaking time than other MPs once Parliament resumes plenary sessions. He argued that Kawempe North deserved extra attention because his predecessor, Mohammed Ssegirinya, became seriously ill and was imprisoned shortly after his election in 2021, preventing the people of Kawempe from having effective representation.

Speaker Among agreed, noting that Nalukoola had "suffered enough."

Nalukoola expressed gratitude to the Speaker for quickly arranging his swearing-in, contrasting this with the Electoral Commission, which had delayed in officially declaring his victory.

Joel Ssenyonyi, the Leader of Opposition, and Deputy President Muwanga Kivumbi, who chairs the Buganda Caucus in Parliament, accompanied Nalukoola. Ssenyonyi jokingly warned Nalukoola that Parliament was a challenging place but believed Nalukoola could handle it.

Muwanga Kivumbi praised Nalukoola's intelligence and hard work, requesting that Joel Ssenyonyi assign him to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), where his skills would be especially valuable.

Speaking to journalists later, Nalukoola advised President Museveni to accept defeat and acknowledge that Kawempe North voters chose him over Faridah Nambi, the ruling NRM candidate. With his usual sharp wit, Nalukoola reminded the veteran leader from Rwakitura that in a democracy like Uganda's, there can only be one winner at a time: "it’s him and the NUP party for now and not anyone else."