The Democratic Party (DP) has withdrawn their candidature in the Omoro County MP by-election.

The seat fell vacant following the death of former Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oulanyah, who was the area MP.

Godwin Okello, the DP aspirant, said he withdrew from the race after consultations with the voters.

“I am not going to contest in the Omoro byelection. I don’t go into an election when my ground is not okay,” he said.

Okello requested voters in Omoro to exercise their democratic right and vote for the candidate of their choice.

“Do not be intimidated. Don’t be lured by money,” he said.

The DP spokesperson for northern Uganda, Justine Obol, said party officials held a virtual meeting with Okello to analyse the race.

“We found that we lack strong grassroots mobilisers in Omoro since we had no candidate in the 2021 general election,” he said.

Okello contested in Aruu in the 2021 general election.

He refuted the allegation that DP will support Andrew Ojok Oulanyah.

Eight pick nomination forms

The Omoro district Electoral Commission returning officer, Moses Kagona, said eight aspirants had picked nomination forms to contest for the seat.

They are Andrew Ojok Oulanyah (National Resistance Movement), Oscar Kizza (Alliance for National Transformation), and Simon Tolit Akecha (National Unity Platform).

Other candidates are Andrew Okot, Jolly Grace Okot, Terence Odonga, Eric Lajul and Jimmy Onen.

Kagona said none of the aspirants had returned the nomination forms.