EC orders recount in minister Obua’s constituency

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Tempers flared on January 17, 2026, after the Electoral Commission failed to declare the winner of the Ajuri County Member of Parliament election in Alebtong district.

The top contenders for the seat are National Resistance Movement (NRM) Chief Whip Hamson Obua, who is the incumbent and Fred Jalamweso of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).

The others are Tom Molo, Steven Omara and Emmanuel Ongom.

The EC has ordered a recount of the ballots from 18 polling stations in Awei sub-county to take place on January 27, a decision strongly protested by the main challenger, Jalamweso.

The army and the police were heavily deployed at the tallying centre on Friday to avert any chaos from Jalamweso’s angry supporters.

Jalamweso rejected the EC’s decision and said EC officials in Alebtong are acting in favour of Obua, whom he has defeated.

“Many ministers have been defeated, and the EC has declared the results. Why are you protecting Obua? What is so special about him? Is it because I am a poor teacher who cannot afford to bribe voters?” he said.

He promised to challenge the decision in court in case he is cheated.

Ajuri County has 178 polling stations, and only the results from 160 polling stations had been confirmed as counted. Ballot boxes from 18 polling stations were opened, but they were found to be without declaration forms. 

Jalamweso insisted that the results be declared, but the EC officials declined.