It is the first time NRM has made a significant footmark in Acholi sub-region since 1996.
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Agents of different candidates at Holy Rosary P.7 School tallying centre in Gulu City - Photo by Dominic Ochola
The National Resistance Movement – NRM party has recorded a landslide
victory in Acholi against the opposition in the local government council elections
held on Wednesday.
They won in all the three of the four districts of West Acholi that includes
Gulu, Omoro and Nwoya with exception of Amuru District that has remained a
stronghold for the FDC. All the three FDC MPs; Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South),
Lucy Akello (Woman MP) and Anthony Akol (Kilak North) retained their parliamentary
seats.
It is the first time NRM has made a significant footmark in Acholi sub-region since 1996. The party's landslide victory has been attributed
to disunity among the opposition parties; peace and security and
infrastructural improvement that has purred social-economic development in post
LRA war era.
In Gulu City, the largest cosmopolitan area in Acholi sub-region, Independent
candidate Alfred Okwonga recorded a comfortable landslide victory defeating six
other contenders to become the maiden Mayor of Gulu City.
Okwonga attained 16,160 majority votes to edge his close rival
Christopher Acire of the Forum for Democratic Change – FDC party and former
Gulu Municipality MP who polled 7,755 votes.
Elsewhere, Christopher Opiyo Ateker of the NRM party was declared the winner of
the Gulu District LCV race after he polled 6,662 votes against Justine Obol of
the Democratic Party who scored 3,992 followed by FDC’s John Okwonga with 2,385
votes.
Of the 19 District Councillors who were elected, NRM took 12 positions while
five were Independent candidates and only two from the opposition FDC party.
In neighbouring Omoro District, Peter Douglas Okello retained his
seat after polling 12,244 votes against his competitor, Francis Watdok Awori of
FDC 6,991 votes in a race that attracted five candidates.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel Orach of NRM defeated six other competitors to
become Nwoya District LCV Chairperson after garnering 6,030 votes. His close
rival Innocent Komakech of FDC polled 5,387 votes followed by Vision Group’s
journalist, Eric Otim with 2,933 votes.
However, it’s only Amuru District that has remained the only stronghold for the
opposition FDC party. Michael Lakony retained his seat after he polled 13,663 votes
against Atwom Denis of NRM who got 11,191votes.
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Freelance Reporter
Michael Ojok is a multi-channel reporter based in Gulu district (Northern Uganda). He is interested in humanitarian stories, culture, conflict, peace, environment, health and education.
Emmy Daniel Ojara is a young journalist and has been practicing since 2013, during which he covered land rights violation in the contested Apaa and Lakang in Amuru as his first take ups while at Gulu Fm, Favor Fm and later Paidha Fm and Speak Fm where he is still attached.
Human rights abuses and denied access to land by security and government agencies has been the major aftermath of the contest over the lands. The underprivileged such as women, children and the elderly faced challenges in accessing soc
Dominic Ochola
Michael Ojok
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Emmy Daniel Ojara
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