Rédaction Africa Links 24 with The Observer
Published on 2024-03-22 05:27:08
Sarah Aguti, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party candidate, emerged victorious in the Dokolo Woman Member of Parliament by-election. This win comes after the unfortunate passing of Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal in January. The Dokolo district returning officer, Erikwaine Ngobi, officially declared Aguti as the winner with a total of 23,044 votes. She defeated her closest opponent, Janet Rose Adongo Elau of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), who garnered 14,001 votes.
The election results also saw Rosemary Austin Alwoc Ogwal of the Forum for Democratic Change coming in third with 8,168 votes, followed by independent candidate Eunice Akullo Obot. Harriet Ageno, the National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate, received 727 votes, while another independent candidate, Rebecca Arao, secured 439 votes. Out of 48,157 ballots counted, 47,169 were deemed valid votes, with 988 votes being rejected and 49 spoilt votes. The Dokolo district has a total of 95,683 registered voters spread across 173 polling stations.
In a statement to the media following her victory, Sarah Aguti expressed gratitude to the people of Dokolo for their trust and support. This win marks her third attempt at the parliamentary seat, having contested and lost to the late Cecilia Ogwal on two previous occasions. UPC party President Jimmy Akena hailed the victory as a positive sign for the party as they look forward to the 2026 elections.
Despite their defeat, Rosemary Austin Alwoc Ogwal and Forum for Democratic Change President Patrick Oboi Amuriat accepted the election results and emphasized the importance of respecting the democratic process. Justice Simon Byabakama Mugenyi, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, commended the residents of Dokolo for their peaceful conduct during the voting process, setting a high standard for future election exercises.
This is the second time the UPC party has secured a victory in a by-election, with the first being Eunice Apio Otuko’s win in Oyam North in 2023. The results of the Dokolo Woman MP by-election demonstrate the will of the people and the importance of active participation in the democratic process. The peaceful conduct of the election and the acceptance of the results by all candidates showcase the maturity of the political landscape in Dokolo.
The win by Sarah Aguti not only secures her position as the new Member of Parliament for Dokolo but also signals a potential shift in the political dynamics of the region. As she embarks on her parliamentary duties, Aguti’s victory serves as a reminder of the power of the electorate and the role of democracy in shaping the future of the nation.
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