In a decisive declaration, Mr. Erikwaine Stephen Ngobi, the Dokolo district returning officer, officially announced Sarah Agutti of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) as the newly elected woman member of Parliament for Dokolo district. Agutti steps into the role left vacant after the passing of Hon Cecilia Ogwal, who succumbed to cancer at the age of 77 while undergoing treatment in India on 18 January 2024.
Aguti secured a resounding victory, garnering 23,044 votes, outshining her closest rival, Janet Rose Adongo Elau of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who trailed behind with 14,001 votes. The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag-bearer, Austin Rosemary Alwoch Ogwal, daughter of the late Cecilia Ogwal, secured 8,168 votes.
Independent candidate Esther Akullo fell far behind with a mere 790 votes, while Harriet Ageno of the National Unity Platform (NUP) garnered 727 votes, and independent candidate Rebecca Arao trailed with 439 votes.
Under the provisions of section 53 of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Aguti, having obtained the highest number of votes, was rightfully declared the winner of the Dokolo district woman MP seat.
The election day, despite a few isolated incidents, was largely peaceful. However, earlier in the day, Oyam district Woman member of Parliament, Hon Santa Alum, was arrested in Dokolo on allegations of voter bribery.
Alum, along with two other UPC members, was taken to Dokolo CPS for recording statements. Despite these incidents, the overall conduct of the election was relatively calm compared to previous by-elections.
UPC party president Jimmy Akena engaged in verbal altercations with the police at Dokolo CPS over the arrests of his party members. Akena expressed concerns that security forces were collaborating with his political opponents to disrupt UPC’s efforts in safeguarding their votes. However, police later released Hon Santa Alum, denying the allegations made by the UPC president.
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