Teso LC3 elections roundup: Focus shifts to unity and service delivery

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Newly elected LC3 chairpersons across the Teso sub-region have begun outlining priorities centred on unity, accountability, and improved service delivery following the conclusion of sub-county and town council elections.

Election officials in multiple districts described the polls as largely peaceful, with winners quickly calling for reconciliation and collective development.

SOROTI DISTRICT (By Abraham Elapu)

Soroti district returning officer Joseph Mukwaya urged all declared leaders to reconcile with their former rivals and serve beyond personal interests.

Speaking at the tally centre in Oculoi, Mukwaya emphasised that leadership is about community transformation, not individual gain.

Declared LC3 chairpersons include:

• Robert Osina – Ocokcan Sub-county
• Thomas Alimu – Asuret Sub-county
• Emmanuel Ejalu – Aukot
• Osman Oyoma – Lale Sub-county
• Moses Emugu – Eroju, Katine Town Council
• Moses Abaci – Tubur Sub-county
• Moses Ojacor – Gweri Sub-county
• Peter Ebau – Awaliwal Sub-county
• Julius Obiro – Tubur Town Council
• Joseph Ecengu – Ebanu, Kamuda Sub-county
• Moses Emwalu – Oculoi Sub-county
• David Adengu – Arapai Sub-county

David Adengu, LC3 elect for Arapai subcounty in Soroti District. (Credit: Delux Alomu)

Peter Ebau (Awaliwal) pledged improved public service delivery while Thomas Alimu (Asuret) placed education improvement at the centre of his agenda. Moses Emugu of Katine Town Council highlighted unity among residents as his priority.

AMURIA DISTRICT

A historic milestone was recorded in Willa Sub-county, where Mary Tino (NRM) became the first woman elected LC3 chairperson in the district after defeating three male candidates. She pledged to unite residents and drive development.

Other winners in Amuria include:

• Robert Okwir (FDC) – Ogolai Sub-county
• Tom Epiangu (Independent) – Amuria Town Council
• Francis Obiko (NRM) – Olwa
• Joseph Abwal (NRM) – Amolo
• George William Ogulei (NRM) – Asamuk Town Council
• Charles Apedu (NRM) – Wera Sub-county
• Eric Yoko Odeke (Independent) – Abarilela

Tom Epiangu said he will push to elevate Amuria Town Council to municipality status and improve health and education services, while Robert Okwir emphasised unity and inclusive development in Ogolai.

KALAKI DISTRICT (By Christine Itado)

The ruling NRM party dominated LCIII races in Kalaki district, winning nine out of ten sub-counties and town councils.

Election officials waiting for voters, in Kalaki district, Otuboi Catholic Church polling station, together with the BVVK operator and other polling Assistants. (Credit: Christine Itado)

Winners include:

• Raymond Emunyu – Bululu
• Joseph Ekonu – Anyara
• Denis Edoru – Kakure
• Anthony Ejangu – Otuboi Town Council
• George William Emeu – Ogwolo
• Julius Aguti – Otuboi
• Richard Ojupa – Kalaki
• John Alachu – Apapai
• Peter Elubu Engwau – Kalaki Town Council (unopposed)
• Kenneth Edosu (Independent) – Bululu Sub-county

John Alachu of Apapai pledged improvements in schools, electricity access, agriculture, and unity. 

District returning officer Leontine Nsungwa described the elections as peaceful and transparent, crediting security agencies for maintaining order.

NGORA DISTRICT (By Simon Ongodia)

Ngora district election administrator Samson Omuron declared 11 LC3 chairpersons, namely:

• John Robert Okallebo – Mukura Town Council
• Aloysius Ogala – Mukura Sub-county
• Japhat Wabwire – Atoot Sub-county
• Justine Ojangole – Opot Town Council
• Duncan Musani – Kobwin Sub-county
• Job Ainuwe – Ngora Sub-county
• Bony Ochen – Agirigiroi Sub-county
• Charles Emau – Morukakise Sub-county
• Sam Omuron – Kapir Sub-county

Omuron said parish councillor results would be declared later due to technical challenges.

KATAKWI DISTRICT (By Francis Ocen)

In Katakwi, NRM secured 15 out of 20 LC3 chairperson seats, with the remainder going to four independents and one FDC candidate.

Katakwi district Electoral officers at the declaration of LC3 results on Thursday, February 5, 2026. (Credit: Francis Ocen)

NRM district chairperson Bosco Okiror attributed the reduced party tally to members who ran as independents after losing in the primaries.

Independent winners include:

• Elvis Ojula – Katakwi Sub-county
• Omagor Isaac – Amusia
• Ben Odeya – Getom
• Michael Echelu – Kapujan
• Simon Okot – Usuk Town Council

FDC leaders said the party remains optimistic, citing growing grassroots presence. Ojula criticised weaknesses in party systems, saying flawed primaries hurt party credibility.

PALLISA DISTRICT (By Lawrence Okwakol)

LC3 chairpersons and parish councillors in Pallisa expressed gratitude to voters and called for unity.

Key results include:

• Vincent Oluka Epodoke – Kameke Sub-county (re-elected)
• Kenneth Mapera – Obutet Sub-county
• Francis Okoboi – Agule Town Council

Leaders pledged to strengthen service delivery, infrastructure, and social services, while residents praised the peaceful election process.

SERERE DISTRICT (By Patrick Odongo)

Serere district has concluded its LC3 elections, with seven out of 15 sub-county and town council seats changing hands in today’s declaration. The results were announced by returning officer Ronald Nsereko at the district tallying centre.

The elections saw a mix of new faces and incumbents retaining their positions, with victorious candidates pledging to deliver on promises made during their campaigns.

New faces and changes

Among the notable changes:

• Ocaapa Town Council: Simon Robert Chamute (NRM) replaces Ezra Omongole
• Kasilo Town Council: Philbert Okwalinga (Independent) replaces Sam Odeke
• Kyere Town Council: Geresem Okello (NUP), incumbent speaker, replaces James Peter Egonyun (NRM)
• Kidetok Town Council: Richard Opio replaces George William Oumo (FDC)
• Kateta Subcounty: Morish Alikileng (NRM) replaces Amosi Ochola, who contested the District Workers Councilor seat
• Labor Subcounty: James Opolot (FDC) replaces Haruna Onai (NRM)
• Kyere Subcounty: Abraham Okwalinga replaces John Esadu

Incumbents retain seats

Several leaders successfully defended their positions:

• Serere Town Council: Emmanuel Akeba (FDC)
• Kagwara Town Council: Benard Odikor (NRM)
• Bugondo Subcounty: Sam Osina (NRM)
• Kadungulu Town Council: John Oumo (NRM)
• Pingire Subcounty: Norbert Ikwarit (ANT)
• Olio Subcounty: Kenneth Adiamet (FDC)
• Atiira Subcounty: George William Elayu (FDC) replaces incumbent Michel Otim, who did not contest

Returning officer Nsereko confirmed that all 15 LC3 leaders were officially declared, noting that the process was conducted transparently and in accordance with Electoral Commission guidelines.

After the election, the newly elected LC3 leaders emphasised unity, accountability, and service delivery. Many highlighted plans to prioritise education, infrastructure, and local development, while promising to maintain strong connections with the communities they represent.

The elections mark a blend of political continuity and change, reflecting both voter trust in experienced leadership and a desire for new representation in Serere.

REGIONAL OUTLOOK

Across Teso, a consistent message has emerged from both election officials and winning candidates:

• Reconciliation after competition
• Improved local service delivery
• Unity as a foundation for development

While party dominance varied by district, the broader theme remains a call for leaders to move beyond campaign politics and focus on tangible improvements in education, health, infrastructure, and local governance.