Opposition routed as NRM clinches Kapelebyong
From the presidential vote to the directly elected Member of Parliament and Woman MP, the ruling party secured overwhelming support from voters, with results exceeding 80 per cent across the district.
The counting of votes at a polling station Photo By Alfred Atwau
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has recorded a landslide victory in all elective positions in Kapelebyong district in the just concluded general election.
From the presidential vote to the directly elected Member of Parliament and Woman MP, the ruling party secured overwhelming support from voters, with results exceeding 80 per cent across the district.
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who contested against candidates from seven other political parties, garnered 23,008 votes.
He was followed by National Unity Platform candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, also known as Bobi Wine, with 4,179 votes. Forum for Democratic Change’s Nathan Nandala Mafabi received 550 votes, while Frank Kabinga Bulira of Revolutionary People's Party (RPP) polled 209 votes.
Robert Kasibante of NPP obtained 116 votes, Joseph Mabirizi of the Conservative Party got 108, Mubarak Munyagwa Sserunga of Common Man's Party received 101, and ANT’s Gregory Muntu Mugisha polled 71 votes.
Across all eleven sub-counties, including Alito, Obalanga, Obalanga town council, Okungur, Kapelebyong, Kapelebyong town council, Akoromit, Acowa, Acowa town council, Acinga, and Akore town council, President Museveni swept all 139 polling stations without defeat from the opposition.
Patrick Ipalat (middle) the NRM chairperson of Kapelebyong district seated with Jacinta Atuto who won the woman MP race. Photo by Alfred Atwau
In the parliamentary race, Francis Akorikin, who previously served as district LC5 chairperson, unseated incumbent MP Anthony Esenu after polling 14,670 votes.
Akorikin faced six challengers in the contest, including National Unity Platform’s Julius Ochen, who came second with 6,583 votes.
Independent candidate Joseph Arocha followed with 3,218 votes, while Celestine Alou of FDC polled 547 votes. Aquinas Thomas Oonyu of UPC received 362 votes, and independent candidate Yona Lawrence Onyoin garnered 186 votes.
Having earlier secured the NRM flag, Akorikin attributed his victory to winning the confidence of voters, particularly through his contribution to efforts aimed at ending cattle rustling by Karamojong groups in the border sub-counties of Kapelebyong district.
Jacinta Atuto, the incument Woman MP after being declared the Woman MP elect for Kapelebyong district
Reacting to his win, Akorikin said he was committed to restoring public confidence, with education identified as one of the most pressing sectors requiring urgent attention to ensure children fully benefit.
The Woman MP race, which had generated tension across the district, was won by incumbent NRM flag bearer Jacinta Atuto with a landslide victory after polling 18,446 votes.
She was followed by independent candidate Florence Adupo with 8,775 votes, while FDC’s Angella Arego Ojakala received 1,079 votes. Harriet Amoding, also an independent, polled 329 votes.
Atuto pledged to continue implementing her development agenda in line with the NRM manifesto, which prioritises socio-economic transformation, empowerment, improved access to education and better infrastructure.
MP candidate Francis Akorikin. Photo by Alfred Atwau
She said the NRM’s victory in Kapelebyong reflected public trust in the party’s leadership and its ability to deliver tangible results at the grassroots level.
Now serving her second term, Atuto noted that she has identified gaps within the district and intends to focus on poverty reduction through mindset change and the creation of employment opportunities, especially for young people vulnerable to negative influences.
Meanwhile, Kapelebyong NRM chairperson Patrick Ipalat said that although the National Unity Platform attempted to exert pressure during the campaign period, the party’s strategy helped neutralise the opposition.
Ipalat described the election as one of the most peaceful in the district’s history, noting that no cases of violence were reported across all sub-counties.
Kapelebyong district returning officer Peter Toddu said the election was transparent, free and fair, although there were minor challenges involving biometric voter verification machines that failed to function at some polling stations.