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Dr Eunice Apio Otuko of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) was declared winner of Thursday's Oyam North parliamentary byelection in Oyam district.


MP-elect Apio will now replace the late Charles Okello Engola, whom she lost to for the same seat in the 2021 general elections.

Among the candidates she reigned supreme over in Thursday's byelection in Uganda's northern district of Oyam is Engola's son, Samuel Engola Junior of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), in a four-strong race.

Apio also beat Freddy Newton Okello of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Daniel Okello of the National Unity Platform (NUP).

Richard Onoba, the Oyam district returning officer, declared Apio winner in a tightly contested race, sparking celebrations in the UPC camp.

Richard Onoba, the Oyam district returning officer. (Photo by Solomon Okabo)

Apio won with 15,718 votes (49.12%), edging closest challenger Engola Junior by 557 votes.

While Engola garnered 15,161 votes, FDC's Okello got 714 votes while NUP's Okello trailed with 403 votes.

The results were announced with only the eventually victor (Apio) present at the tallying centre at the Oyam district council hall.

Apio’s victory brings to seven the total number of UPC legislators in the current Parliament.

The Oyam North seat fell vacant after the death by shooting of Engola on May 2 at his residence in Kyanja, Kampala.