NRM sweeps new district elections

Aug 29, 2006

The voting pattern in northern Uganda has been reversed in favour of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), whose candidates scooped top leadership positions in the new districts.

By Hellen Mukiibi and Joyce Namutebi

The voting pattern in northern Uganda has been reversed in favour of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), whose candidates scooped top leadership positions in the new districts.

During the Monday polls for the district chairpersons and Woman MP, the NRM recorded victory in Oyam, Amuru and Kotido. Results from Abim had not been announced by press time, whereas voting in Maracha will take place after the row over the district headquarters is resolved.

NRM’s Charles Okello Engola and Beatrice Amongi Lagada won the LC5 chairperson and Women MP seat respectively in Oyam. Lagada trounced three politicians with 16,969 votes (45.5%). She was followed by Alum Santa Ogwang 13,134 (35.5%), Florence Okello Otto polled 4,202 and Florence Bongoyinge Aguti bagged 2,652.

In Kotido, NRM carried the day winning both the LC5 seat and Margaret Achila taking the woman MP seat. According to initial results,the NRM candidate was well in the lead in the race for the district seat for Amuru.

In Dokolo, Cecila Ogwal (independent) bagged 9,162 votes closely followed by NRM candidate Ruth Atala Adupa. Another independent, John Baptist Okello Okello, defeated Ogwang Alele of UPC to become the LC5 chairman.

In other regions, the same trend prevailed. “We are doing very well.

We are in the lead. I’m happy with those who mobilised for the victory of NRM,” the party’s deputy Secretary General, Dorothy Hyuha, said yesterday.

NRM recorded victory in Bukedea with Sam Ebukalin and Rose Akol Okullu winning the LC5 chairperson and Women MP seat respectively.

In Bukedea, the returning officer, Juma Adams Sheshe, announced the winners at a brief ceremony at Lukiiko Hall.

Amid cheers and ululations, Sheshe declared that Akol polled 22,057 votes, Anita Among of FDC scored 8,075 votes while independent Jacqueline Amongin scooped 2,083 out of 32,215 total votes cast.

Ebukalin got 17,880 (55.0%) votes, independent James Michael Ongole scored 12,461 (39.3%) votes, while FDC’s Richard Stephen Oumo polled 1,832 (5.7%) votes out of 32,173 votes cast.

In Bududa, Wilson Watira and Oliver Wonekha, both NRM candidates, won the seats while in Namutumba district Michael Saire and Lydia Kibwika also trounced their opponents.

The race in Buliisa was won by NRM candidates Fred Lukumu taking the chairmanship and Beatrice Mpairwe, the woman MP seat, according to results from the Electoral Commission.

In Budaka the Woman seat was taken by NRM’s Pherry Kabanda Sabano, while Samuel Muloni (independent) took the district chairmanship.

In Lyantonde, NRM’s Fred Nayebare was elected unopposed while Grace Namara (independent) took the parliament seat.

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