Newcomers unseat nearly all LC5 chairpersons in Acholi
In Amuru district, incumbent Michael Lakony stepped down from his LC5 position to contest in the Kilak South parliamentary race, which he lost. Meanwhile, Christopher Odongkara, a former district councilor, seized this opportunity and emerged victorious in the LC5 election.
Tonny Blair displaying his declaration form after he was declared winner of teh Kitgum district LCV by Kitgum district Returning Officer Betty Atim Owot. (Credit: Christopher Nyeko)
ACHOLI - In a remarkable political shakeup, all but one serving LC5 chairpersons across the eight districts of Uganda's northern sub-region of Acholi have been unseated by newcomers in the January 22 district local government elections.
Only Sisto Oyet, the district chairperson of Lamwo, managed to retain his seat.
In Amuru district, incumbent Michael Lakony stepped down from his LC5 position to contest in the Kilak South parliamentary race, which he lost. Meanwhile, Christopher Odongkara, a former district councilor, seized this opportunity and emerged victorious in the LC5 election.
In neighbouring Nwoya district, it was a similar script. LC5 chairperson Emmanuel Orach gave a shot at a parliamentary role (Nwoya County), but he was defeated by Geoffrey Opiyo Payira.
Patrick Okello Oryema, the inaugural Nwoya LC5 chairperson, saw the opportunity and seized it. He went on to contest and successfully reclaim his former position, completing his local leadership comeback.
In Gulu City, the political winds shifted as incumbent mayor Alfred Okwonga of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) was defeated by newcomer Julius Acire Labeja Gunya, who ran as an independent candidate.
Gulu district also witnessed a change at the helm, with Christopher Opiyo Aterker, the incumbent district chairperson, falling to the challenge posed by Justine Obol Simpleman of the Democratic Party (DP).
Omoro district saw a dramatic contest as the long-serving Douglas Peter Okello Okao sought a third term, only to be unseated by Andrew Okot, affectionately known as Obibi.
Not long before, Okao had faced Obibi in the NRM primaries where the latter was declared winner.
UPC's Bob William Labeja (L) lost the Kitgum district LCV seat. (Credit: Christopher Nyeko)
Okao challenged the results, and the outcome was overturned in his favour to secure the party flag. Obibi went on to contest as an independent in the general election and ultimately came out on top.
Pader district also featured in the seismic political reforms, with Rt Col Fearless Obwoya Oyat losing the LC5 seat to Alfred Akena.
In Agago district, Leonard Ojok Opiyo, the younger brother of retired Chief Justice Alphonse Owiny-Dollo and NRM flagbearer, was unseated by Wilson Otto, who contested as an independent.
In Kitgum district, Christopher Arwa I Obol of DP was ousted by NRM's Tony Blair Olanya Olenge.
Only Sisto Oyet in Lamwo managed to weather the political storm, managing to edge out closest challenger Jimmy Amone, who contested as an independent after losing in the NRM primaries.
So what could have caused this collective political ouster in Acholi?
The campaigns leading up to these elections revealed growing disconnect between the incumbents and the electorate, particularly among the youth, who value innovation and change in a rapidly evolving society influenced by technology.
Prof. Ogenga Otunnu, an expert in post-conflict societal reconstruction and the principal personal assistant to Gen. Salim Saleh, described this phenomenon as a crucial shift towards new leadership in Acholi.
He spoke of the need for fresh ideas and perspectives.
In the wake of the elections, many defeated incumbents graciously conceded defeat and expressed their commitment to supporting their successors for their communities' good.