Alebtong, Uganda: The Government Chief Whip, Hon. Denis Hamson Obua, has lost his Ajuri County parliamentary seat after being narrowly defeated by Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) candidate Fred Jalameso in a closely contested race decided by a fresh re-election in disputed polling stations.
Fred Jalameso was declared the Member of Parliament-elect for Ajuri County on Tuesday after polling 16,336 votes, edging out the incumbent Denis Hamson Obua, who secured 15,568 votes, according to results announced after the Electoral Commission-sanctioned re-run.
The announcement followed a fresh election in 18 polling stations, whose earlier results had been nullified by the Electoral Commission over complaints of vote rigging and inconsistencies in tallying.
The re-run stemmed from a formal complaint challenging results from Awei Sub-county, where figures announced at the tally centre reportedly did not correspond with results declared at several polling stations.
Acting on the petition, the Commission, under the supervision of Jackson Igenyi Babirye, conducted a recount of votes from the entire sub-county.
The exercise uncovered significant discrepancies, prompting the EC to nullify results from 18 polling stations and order a fresh poll.
Ajuri County has 178 polling stations, but during the initial tally, results had been received from only 160 stations, leaving the contest unresolved.
Before the re-run, provisional results from the 160 polling stations showed Jalameso leading with 14,321 votes (44.5%), followed closely by Obua with 12,963 votes (40.25%).
Other candidates trailed far behind, including Emmanuel Ongom Okwel (FDC) – 2,848 votes (8.84%), Jasper Molo (Independent) – 1,558 votes (4.84%), and Stephen Omara (Independent) – 507 votes (1.57%). The narrow gap between Jalameso and Obua made the re-run decisive.
EC Declares Jalameso Winner
Results from the fresh election conducted on Tuesday, January 27, extended Jalameso’s lead, allowing him to clinch the seat in what observers describe as one of the most significant political upsets in northern Uganda.
Announcing the final figures, EC officials said the re-run was conducted peacefully and transparently, with agents of all candidates present throughout voting, counting, and tallying.
“The Commission is satisfied that the concerns raised were adequately addressed and that the final results reflect the true will of the voters of Ajuri County,” an EC official said.
A Major Blow to NRM
Jalameso’s victory unseats one of the ruling party’s most senior figures and returns Ajuri County to the UPC, signalling shifting political dynamics in Alebtong District and the wider Lango sub-region.
Political analysts say the outcome underscores growing competitiveness of opposition parties and voter willingness to challenge high-ranking incumbents.
Speaking shortly after his declaration, Jalameso thanked voters for their trust and called for reconciliation. “I extend an olive branch to all my competitors. Ajuri County needs unity, service and development, not division,” he said.
By press time, Obua had not issued a formal statement, though NRM sources said the party was studying the detailed results.
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