UPC’s Apio Wins Oyam North By-Election.

The UPC candidate Eunice Otuko Apio obtained 15,718 votes with the ruling NRM candidate, Samuel Engola Okello coming second in the heated race with 15,161 votes.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag-bearer, Freddy Newton Okello polled 714 votes while National Unity Platform candidate Daniel Okello trailed with a paltry 403 votes.

The Electoral Commission’s returning officer, Richard Onoba on Thursday night declared Otuku as the “elected candidate for Oyam County North Constituency” having obtained the highest number of votes.

UPC had earlier accused the NRM officials of engaging in electoral malpractices in the by-election, including ticking ballots at gunpoint.

“You are thieves, you are stealing,” UPC leader, Jimmy Akena blasted NRM Electoral Commission head, Tanga Odoi in a physical confrontation in Oyam.

Walter Ochola, the presiding officer of Wanglobo polling station said armed men jumped out of the car and forced him to hand over five ballot booklets.

The armed thugs then walked to their vehicle where they ticked 250 ballot papers before returning them to Ochola to “make your accountability.”

A visibly annoyed Akena said the 250 ticked ballot papers must be cancelled.

He also said similar incidents were being reported at several polling stations in Otwal and Acokara sub-counties.

The election follows the murder of area lawmaker, Hon. Col. (Ret.) Charles Okello Engola.

Engola, who was the State Minister in charge of Labour, was shot dead by his bodyguard in Kyanja, a Kampala suburb, on May 2, 2023.

Engola’s son, Samuel Engola Okello, was widely expected to sweep the election.

Museveni hands over the NRM flag to Engola Junior at Otwal Primary School Otwal Sub-County, Oyam District on 4th July 2023

Oyam has 90,733 registered voters in its 8 sub-counties of which 52.8% are females and 47.1% are males.

Only 31,996 voters cast their ballots, according to results released by the Electoral Commission.

The constituency has 39 parishes.

President Museveni on Tuesday rallied masses to vote overwhelmingly for Engola.