The Electoral Commission (EC) has set May 26 as the date for the Omoro County by-election.

According to the EC spokesperson, Paul Bukenya, the campaign period will last for 10 days, shortly after the nomination of candidates on May 12-13.

The campaigns, Bukenya added, will commence on May 16. 

“The by-election for Omoro County Member of Parliament will be conducted on May 26. After the nomination of candidates on May 12 and 13, campaigns will begin on May 16, and will be for 10 days. We will have elections on May 26, 2022,” Bukenya said. 

The Omoro seat became vacant following the death of former Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, on March 20 at a hospital in Seattle, USA. He was laid to rest on April 8.   

Several contenders have shown interest in contesting for the seat, including Oulanyah’s son, Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, who is the NRM candidate.   

Over the weekend, Ojok was unveiled by the NRM secretary general, Richard Todwong, during a consultative meeting in Omoro district. 

National Unity Platform (NUP) has fronted former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party stalwart, Simon Tolit, for the seat. 

On the other hand, FDC selected Denis Owani to hold the party’s flag for the by-election.

According to the by-election roadmap issued by the EC chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, on May 26, voters in Omoro district will also elect the Omoro district woman councillor for Lalogi/Lakwaya. 

“The Commission received the notice of vacant position for Omoro County Member of Parliament on March 28, 2022, and therefore, the statutory deadline for holding the by-election is Saturday, May 28, 2022,” said Byabakama.