Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) Party’s Eunice Apio Otuko has been declared winner in the recently concluded Oyam North County by elections.
The sit fall vacant after an impromptu death of Late Charles Engola after he was shot at by his bodyguard two months ago.
In what seemed a highly contented election, defiant UPC candidate and the only female in the race Otuko emerged winner scooping 15718 votes with a range of 557 votes from National Resistance Movememt NRM’s Samuel Engola Okello who garnered 15161 votes, followed by Forum for Democratic Change FDC’s Freddy Okello Newton with 714 votes and National Unity Party NUP’s Okello Daniel coming last with only 403 votes
The total number of registered voters included 90,733, 47,939 (52.83%) being female and 42,794 (47.17%) male, and the total number of valid votes cast 31996, 755 invalid, 32751 counted and only 37 spoilt.
“Accordingly as Returning Officer for Oyam Electoral District and in accordance with section 58 (1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act (as amended) l declare Apio Otuko Eunice who as obtained the largest number of votes to be the elected candidate Oyam County North Constituency,”Richard Onoba the Returning Officer said.
Paul Bukenya thespokesperson of the Electoral Commission also noted that the opening of Polls at different polling Stations in the Constituency had started on time and that voting was progressing well despite the morning downpour
According to the police statement however Oyam Central Police Station had apprehended two individuals on suspicion of engaging in voter bribery.
In a video that went viral on the other hand, UPC president Jimmy Akena was seen in a verbal exchange with National Resistance Movement (NRM) Electoral Commission party chair person Tang Odoi accusing the other for allegedly participating in voting raging.
In a statement released by UPC on Wednesday however highlighted how the party was not only ready to support their candidate but also defend their votes having suspected a faul by the ruling party.
“On a serious note, UPC reiterates the caution by the Party President Hon. Jimmy Akena during the campaigns that no individual should dare to employ vote rigging schemes, during voting and vote counting. We as a Party we have eyes everywhere deployed and we are ready to protect our vote at any cost. We therefore call upon all members of Oyam North to be vigilant. As a Party we demand free, fair and peaceful elections,” statement reads in part.