BY-ELECTION

Andrew Ojok Oulanyah of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) was Thursday night declared winner of the Omoro County parliamentary by-election, beating five candidates.

The by-election was conducted a little over two months since the death of Ojok's father and then-Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, who was the Omoro County MP at the time.

Omoro district returning officer Moses Kagona declared Ojok the winner with 14,224 votes. Kagona read out the results inside the tally centre at the Omoro district headquarters shortly after 10pm.

Simon Tolit Akecha of National Unity Platform (NUP) came second with 1,633 votes while independent candidate Terence Odonga came third with 532 votes.

Justine Odong of Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) was fourth with 529 votes and independent candidate Jimmy Walter Onen managed 88 votes.

Oscar Kizza of Alliance for National Transformation trailed with 63 votes.

Omoro district returning officer Moses Kagona

Ojok was accompanied by NRM party officials as he received his declaration of results form from Omoro district returning officer Moses Kagona

hhortly before the announcement of results, Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Simon Byamukama congratulated the electorate of Omoro for a "peaceful, tranquil exercise".

He said they had exhibited "a high level of civility, composure and obedience to the law", adding that Omoro has established itself as a good example of the electoral process.

Following the declaration of results, Omoro County MP-elect Ojok called his a "very important victory.. a big statement". He also urged the leaders of Omoro to "come back together" after the dust settles to steer the district ahead as a collective effort.

Ojok later tweeted, thanking his supporters "for honouring his [father's] memory".

Thursday's voting was for the parliamentary seat of Omoro County as well as for district Woman Councillor for Lologi/Lakwaya Electoral Area in Omoro district at 84 polling stations and 25 polling stations, respectively.

'Be magnanimous'

After casting his ballot at Ajuri Primary School Polling Station in the morning, Ojok told reporters that he was confident he would win the by-election.

Asked what he would do if the overall result did not go in his favour, the NRM flagbearer said he would accept the outcome, as it would be the will of the people of Omoro.

Byamukama urged the winners on the day to "be magnanimous in your victory and reach out to your opponents".

Meanwhile, NRM's Florence Lalam was declared winner of district Woman Councillor for Lologi/Lakwaya Electoral Area.

She garnered 2,370 votes to make it a clean sweep for the ruling NRM on the day.