Wonekha Takes Mbale

By Jonathan Angura MRS Oliver Wonekha has finally been declared winner of the Mbale district woman parliamentary seat without the election results from Bumooni parish in Bubulo county. The elections in Bumooni dragged on for three days and later flopped when supporters of some of the candidates boycotted voting alleging malpractices. The Returning Officer, Mr. George William Wopowa, declared Wonekha winner with 7,833 votes against her closest rival, Erinah Nagudi's 4,068 and Felistus Magonu's 2,272 votes. A total of 14,173 votes were cast of which 108 were invalid and 54 got spoilt. Supporters of Nagudi on Monday demonstrated on Mbale streets demanding that the results be nullified and fresh elections ordered. They claimed that there were malpractices in the exercise. Wopuwa told the demonstrators that they were free to petition court. "I only regret the Bumooni issue, but I can not be a judge of myself. If you have any grievances, you are free to go to court," Wopuwa said. Both Wonekha and Wopuwa have been blamed The New Vision for not publishing the results in the election tables for women MPs countrywide that the paper has been publishing. Ends