Faded hope as Tororo Woman MP Opendi loses vote recount application

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Hopes of incumbent Tororo District Woman Member of Parliament (MP) Sarah Achieng Opendi being in the 12th Parliament have gone up in smoke.

Opendi has lost her bid to have a vote recount for the 11 contested polling stations, maintaining her rival, Akoth Angella, as the duly elected Tororo District Woman MP.

The development comes after Tororo Chief Magistrate Nambatya Irene Tuesday, January 27, 2026, morning, dismissed Opendi's application on the grounds that 2 of the 11 contested ballot boxes had broken seals, while five others had been tampered with.

"The exercise of vote recount cannot go ahead because of the tampered ballot boxes and, therefore, the request for recount is dismissed", Nambatya said in a fully parked court room.

Excited Angella Akoth walks out of court on Tuesday after the ruling was made. (Photo by Faustine Odeke)

Opendi applied last week for a vote recount in some polling stations in Tororo district.

She was beaten by Akoth with a margin of 35 votes after she got 78,507 against Akoth, who garnered 78,542.

She based her argument on allegations of irregularities and discrepancies in the electoral process during the tallying, which took place at Tororo electoral commission offices on 15/01/26.

The court gave both parties an opportunity last Saturday to present their evidence and further clarify their positions.

Earlier on Friday, the same court ordered the recount on Saturday, but upon inspection of ballot boxes, the team discovered boxes being tampered with.

Not surprised by result

However, speaking after the court ruling, Opendi said she was not surprised by the ruling, especially when it was found out that two ballot boxes had been tampered with.

While Akoth thanked God and described the court ruling as a win for the people of Tororo.