Gulu city LC1 election ends in dispute over disqualified candidate
According to the official results, Owor won the election with 153 votes, defeating the incumbent, Salvatore, who secured eight votes. Kisembo received 51 votes, Komakech polled 18 votes, while Tino garnered nine votes. Tino, the only female candidate in the race, told Radio Rupiny that the election was marred by several irregularities.
Geoffrey Obila Owor from People's Front for Freedom party was declared a winner after garnering 153 votes. His closest rival candidate got 51 votes. (Credit: Rosemary Anena)
GULU - The election of the Local Council One (LC1) chairperson for Wii-Aworanga cell in Patuda ward, Bardege-Layibi division, Gulu city, ended in controversy on Tuesday (July 28) after chaos erupted over the participation of a disqualified candidate and allegations of voting irregularities.
Voting, which was scheduled to begin at 11:00 am, started two hours late after election officials ran out of voting slips before all registered voters had gathered. Voters who had assembled at Wii-Aworanga Primary School, the designated polling station, were later allowed in to vote.
Seven candidates had initially been nominated to contest the seat. They included Geoffrey Obila Owor of the People's Front for Freedom (PFF) party, Collins Chua Kisembo (Independent), Justine Emmy Okema (NRM), Daniel Komakech (Independent), Alex Okot Langwen (Independent), Scovia Mystica Tino (Independent) and the incumbent, John Salvatore Nyeko (Independent).
However, the candidature of Justine Emmy Okema, the NRM flag bearer, was nullified after electoral officials established that he is a civil servant serving as a driver to the chief administrative officer (CAO) of Gulu district.
The nullification was confirmed by Gulu city returning officer Mike Jjuko, leaving six candidates in the race.
During the voting exercise, one of the remaining candidates withdrew, reducing the contest to five.
The move angered rival candidates and their supporters, who rejected the election results.
According to the official results, Owor won the election with 153 votes, defeating the incumbent, Salvatore, who secured eight votes.
Kisembo received 51 votes, Komakech polled 18 votes, while Tino garnered nine votes.
Tino, the only female candidate in the race, told Radio Rupiny that the election was marred by several irregularities.
She alleged that some people who voted had been ferried from neighbouring cells and were not eligible to participate in the election.
Tuesday's election also marked the end of John Salvatore Nyeko's 24-year tenure as LC1 chairperson of Wii-Aworanga Cell.
Justine Emmy Okema, also known as Kakembo, who was accused by rival candidates, declined to speak to the media, saying that, as a civil servant, the law prohibits him from making public comments.
He instead referred Radio Rupiny to the chief administrative officer of Gulu district for any official communication.
Speaking after being declared the winner, Geoffrey Obila Owor said inadequate communication and weak community mobilisation had hindered development in the cell.
He pledged to improve education by working closely with the Parent-Teacher Association of Wii-Aworanga Primary School, strengthen transparency and accountability, and promote unity among residents.
Owor also appealed to his former competitors to work with him and contribute their ideas and manifestos towards the development of the community.
Kevin Amony, a resident of Wii-Aworanga cell, described the election as free and fair, saying the candidate preferred by the majority had won.
She expressed confidence that the newly elected LC1 chairperson would strengthen community mobilisation, especially in ensuring that residents benefit from government programmes.