Losers to petition party electoral commission

Adjumani

Several candidates who lost in northern Uganda have petitioned the party’s electoral commission, citing irregularities in Monday’s polls that favoured their opponents. In Gulu Municipality, Dr Fred Oyat who was defeated by Mr Michael Ochora filed a petition, claiming that he was cheated.

In Amuru District, the former commissioner for Peace Recovery and Development Plan, Ms Elizabeth Ochiti Alimadi, who contested for woman MP seat has also filed a petition against Ms Betty Bigombe, who won the polls, claiming that her supporters were unfairly treated by Ms Bigombe’s security agents. Her colleague, Ms Jane Amongin Okili, said she would run as an independent because people’s voices are being neglected by hypocrites in the party.

The NRM party’s regional administrative secretary, Mr Douglas Peter Okao, however, said all official petitions must be formal. “Petitions should be in writing so that the tribunal verifies the circumstances under which the petitions were filed,” Mr Okao said.

Budama’s mess
In West Budama South, former legal advisor to President Museveni, Fox Odoi, was accused of engaging in electoral malpractices in the constituency where the incumbent, Mr William Okecho, says he has petitioned the party electoral commission.

In Paya Sub-county , a saloon car with a government Reg. No. UG 0093F was seized by the police after it was found carrying parcels of ballot papers which appeared to have been tampered with.

Three men who were moving in the vehicle which was pasted with posters of Mr Odoi were detained at Paya police. The same car had UN diplomatic registration numbers etched on its windows and driving mirrors.

Results in this constituency had not yet been tallied by press time.
Preliminary results from Adjumani District indicated that former Deputy Prime Minister Moses Alli was beating his long time political rival, also the Incumbent East Moyo MP Santos Erwaga Mulago, by a slim margin.

The result which was first favouring Mr Mulago swung to in Gen. Ali’s favour at midday yesterday when some of the results from hard-to- reach areas trickled in. Former district chairman Nixon Owole was leading his rival, Mr James Leku by over 1,000 votes by press time for the LCV seat.

Environment State Minister Jesca Eriyo was leading her closest rival Jesca Ababiku although results from some polling stations were still unaccounted for due to impassable roads. In Jonam County, the State Minister Finance, Mr Fred Jachan Omach, is in the lead.

Ministers trail
By press time, the State Minister for Transport, Mr Simon Ejua, was trailing his rival, Dr Sam Okuonzi in four sub-counties. In Zombo, State Minister for Energy Simon D’Ujanga is trailing Mr Stanley Omwonya. Dr Paschal Odoch, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Padyere Constituency is leading his main challenger, Mr Ben Bidong Odongtho. Ms Akumu Catherine Mavenjina, the incumbent woman Member of Parliament for both Nebbi District is trailing her main challenger, Ms Grace Kwiocwiny.

Meanwhile, Gen Ali and Mr Mulago were reportedly detained on Monday for about three hours when they allegedly engaged in a fist fight at the NRM district offices. But the DPC, Mr Frederick Ssegirinya, told Daily Monitor on Monday that the situation was cooled after the intervention of the police.