2026 polls: UPC tightens grip on Lira city with division seats sweep

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The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has tightened its grip on Lira city after clinching the mayoral seats in both Lira city east and west divisions, capping a resounding performance that also saw the party dominate council races across the city.

In Lira city east division, Denis Peter Odongo (UPC) emerged victorious with 10,053 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Emmyjoe Odongo of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who polled 8,079 votes. The contest drew nine candidates, but UPC’s candidate maintained a clear lead from start to finish.

The east division race also featured several independents, including David Omac (899 votes), George Okwe (788), James Johakim (435), Moses Ocip (399), Denis Odom (171) and George Acar (155), while Daniel Ongia of NUP managed 202 votes. Former Lira city mayor George Okello Ayo, who contested on an independent ticket after failing to secure the UPC parliamentary flag, was defeated.

In Lira city west division, Emmanuel Ebong Opeto (UPC) won the mayoral seat with 7,117 votes, narrowly beating George Rashid Opio of the NRM, who garnered 6,494 votes. Three other candidates: Anthony Ojuka (Independent), Isaac Ogwal Ogweng (Independent) and Elijah Charles Alany (NEED) trailed.

The West Division race unfolded against the backdrop of political transition following the death of the substantive mayor, Ogwal Achonga. Acting mayor Rose Amolo Ongom opted not to contest the mayoral seat, instead running for the position of Female Elderly Representative to the city council.

Beyond the mayoral contests, UPC also swept the majority of council seats in both divisions. In Lira city west, which has 21 wards and 42 council seats, UPC secured 31 seats, leaving the remainder to the NRM and independent candidates. In Lira city east, where 28 wards elect 52 councillors, UPC captured more than 90 per cent of the seats, underscoring the party’s dominance in the city.

The newly elected mayors attributed their victories to cross-party support, saying they were voted for by supporters of both UPC and NRM. They pledged to lead inclusively and to serve all residents of Lira City regardless of political affiliation.

“We were elected by the people of Lira city, not by a single party,” one of the mayors said shortly after the declaration of results. “Our focus now is service delivery and development for everyone.”

The results reaffirm Lira city’s status as a stronghold of UPC and signal a challenging road ahead for rival parties seeking to break the party’s dominance in the city’s political landscape.