Zombo, Uganda: Vocal opposition leader Francis Bolingo was among eleven incumbent district councillors who successfully defended their seats in Zombo District during the January 22, 2026 local government elections, according to official results released by the Electoral Commission.
The results were declared by Zombo District Returning Officer Emmanuel Ogwang at the tallying centre at Paidha Cultural Center in Paidha Town Council, drawing celebrations from victorious candidates and their supporters.
Among the standout winners was Francis Bolingo, the outspoken opposition figure and head of the Opposition Forum in Zombo District. Flying the Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) flag, Bolingo retained the Athuma Sub-County seat after defeating Alex Kasamba of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
“I am grateful to the people of Athuma Sub-County for this victory. I will continue to lobby and advocate for issues affecting them,” Bolingo said shortly after his declaration.
Another notable incumbent victory was registered by Hassan Ringtho, the NRM-backed councillor for Paidha Sub-County and incumbent District Council Speaker. Ringtho edged his challenger Onentho in a closely contested race, attributing his win to infrastructure and service delivery initiatives.
He cited projects including the rehabilitation of the Pagisi–Namthin road, Amei Seed Secondary School, the Ofaka–Agelemu road, and Otheko Health Centre III. Ringtho pledged to prioritize additional road works such as Pagisi–Arisi, Kuligamba–Amisi, Pagisi–Kaya, and Kaya–Jupangira.
Other incumbents who retained their seats include Jacinta Acen and Arua David (Jangokoro Sub-County), Bithum David (Abanga Sub-County), Mike Joram Anyolitho (Zombo Town Council), Jovian Lengcwiny (Atyak Sub-County), and Mustafa Ongom (Warr Town Council).
Special interest group representatives who also retained their positions were Binen Narsis (Workers’ Councillor), Geoffrey Aliana (Persons with Disabilities), and Tom Orwodhi (Male Elders’ Representative).
Despite the successful defence by incumbents, the elections were characterized by extremely low voter turnout across Zombo District. With over 140,000 registered voters spread across more than 300 polling stations and 61 parishes, participation was widely described by candidates as “dismal.”
Several residents blamed inadequate voter sensitization by the Electoral Commission. Peter Okecha of Ziingili Ward, Paidha Town Council, said he only learned about the elections shortly before polling day, while Juliet Ujwiga of Central Ward noted that many residents mistook the exercise for party primaries.
NRM candidate Douglas Rupiny of Padea Town Council attributed the turnout to lack of awareness, while Bolingo termed it “the worst voter turnout ever,” saying the commission “would have done much better.”
Polling officials reported sparse activity at several stations, including Alengukuma and Christ the King polling stations in Central Ward, where fewer than 50 voters had turned up by 11:00 a.m. despite a combined registration of over 400 voters. Similar trends were recorded in Serr Parish, Abanga Sub-County.
Stakeholders including Joyce Kayeny, the Zombo District NRM Women’s League Chairperson, attributed the poor turnout to voter fatigue following the intense January 15 presidential and parliamentary elections.
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