The UPC Party candidate, Dr. Eunice Apio Otuku has been declared the winner of Oyam North Member of Parliament seat, by the Chairman of the Uganda Electoral Commission (EC), Justice Simon Byabakama through the Oyam Electoral District Returning Officer, Richard Onoba.
According to the results released by Onoba, Apio emerged the electoral winner with 15718 valid votes cast, representing 49.12% in the by-election that took place in Oyam North on Thursday, July 6, 2023.
UPC’s Apio led against three other candidates in which Simon Engola Junior of NRM manage to trail second with 15161 valid votes cast, representing a total of 47.38%, while Newtown Freddie Okello of FDC gathered 714 valid votes. Daniel Okello of NUP gathered 403 total valid votes, representing 1.26%, according to the Onoba.
While declaring the results, Justice Byabakama said total votes cast were 32,751, representing 36.10% of the total registered voters, and invalid votes were 755.
Justice Byabakama, has participated in the supervision of the Oyam North by-election himself.
Justice Byabakama said that the exercise was generally peaceful inspite of the few isolated cases of members engaging in illegal activities which are against the law.
Four candidates who include; Samuel Engola Junior of NRM, Dr. Eunice Apio Otuke of UPC, Daniel Okello of FDC, and Newton Okello of NUP are the candidates who have been competing in the by-election to replace the former Minister, Col (Rtd) Charles Okello Engola Macodwogo, who was shot dead in May, 2023, by his bodyguard.
A free and fair election is a joint process involving voters, supporters, candidates and the Electoral Commission.