Akurut stuns Alupo to win Katakwi NRM primary

The National Resistance Movement (NRM) electoral commission has declared Violet Akurut Adome the duly elected party flag bearer for Katakwi Woman MP seat after a special election was conducted in Okore sub-county on Wednesday.

On September 4, the Katakwi NRM returning officer Patrick Imeri declared former education minister Jessica Alupo Epel the winner with 38,582 votes against the incumbent Adome's 29,435 votes. 

Akurut petitioned the party's electoral commission citing voter bribery and intimidation.

She argued that her votes from Okore sub-county were not included in the results declared by Imeri and that Alupo had received more votes in Okulonyo sub-county compared to the total voter population there.

Last Thursday, the NRM elections tribunal nullified Alupo's.

In a letter signed by the deputy chairperson of the NRM electoral commission John Kigyagi Aripa, the tribunal declared Akurut the winner having garnered 39,579 votes to carry the NRM flag in next year's election.

Early this week again, the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) reportedly resolved to hold the election again in Okore sub-county alone so that those votes are included in the final results.

The election was conducted in Okore amidst tight security manned by the East Kyoga Region Police and the Local Defence Unit, Akurut garnered 48,671 votes against Alupo's 38,667 votes. In Okore sub-county alone, Akurut garnered 19,186 votes against Alupo's 87.

Earlier in the day Akurut clashed with NRM officials who had wanted only registered NRM members to vote but Akurut and her supporters argued that all adults vote just like it was when the election was conducted in September.

With Akurut's supporters vowing to boycott the election the start of the exercise was delayed and eventually started at around midday after NRM officials allowed all adults to vote.

Just before results were declared, confusion arose after party officials wondered whether there was a polling station with over 500 voters in the district. They were hesitant to declare the results after Akurut received over 500 votes in a polling station.

After consultation with the party headquarters, Irene Achan, declared Akurut the winner at around 3:30pm, at Ocwiin Primary School tally centre.

Others who were contesting for the same seat last month are Claire Apuno and Angella Anuken who garnered 13,760 and 824 votes respectively.

Security officers headed by the East Kyoga regional Police commander Maxwell Ogwal said although the exercise was peaceful, some arrests were made. 

Katakwi Resident District Commissioner, Michael Bwalatum said over fifty bodabodas surrounded the home of the district speaker Francis Okwameri a supporter of Akurut wanting to attack him on the night of election but they were repelled.

Katakwi District Police Commander Rogers Kapere said two people were injured and were taken to Katakwi General Hospital for treatment on the eve of the election after supporters of the two camps clashed.