Fred Jalameso of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has officially been declared the winner of the Ajuri County parliamentary race after a tightly contested re-election, marking one of the most significant political upsets in northern Uganda’s recent electoral history.
According to results announced on Tuesday, Jalameso secured 16,336 votes, narrowly defeating the incumbent Government Chief Whip and National Resistance Movement (NRM) heavyweight Denis Hamson Obua, who polled 15,568 votes. The announcement followed a fresh poll conducted in 18 polling stations in Ajuri County, Alebtong District, whose earlier results had been nullified by the Electoral Commission (EC) over allegations of vote rigging and inconsistencies in tallying.
The declaration was reported by Unity FM, a Lira-based radio station, after the EC completed the re-run and consolidated the final results.
Background to the Re-run
The re-election stemmed from a formal complaint lodged by one of the candidates following the January 22 parliamentary elections. The complaint centered on Awei Sub-county, where it was alleged that figures declared at the tally center did not correspond with results recorded at several polling stations.
In response, the Electoral Commission ordered a recount of votes from the entire Awei Sub-county under the supervision of the Regional Elections Officer, Jackson Igenyi Babirye. The recount uncovered significant discrepancies, prompting the Commission to nullify results from 18 polling stations and schedule a fresh poll in those areas.
Ajuri County has a total of 178 polling stations, but during the initial tallying exercise, results had only been received from 160 stations, leaving the outcome hanging on the disputed areas.
Tight Race Before the Decisive Poll
Prior to the re-run, provisional EC results from the 160 polling stations had shown Jalameso leading with 14,321 votes (44.5%), followed closely by Obua with 12,963 votes (40.25%). Other candidates trailed at a distance, with Emmanuel Ongom Okwel (FDC) polling 2,848 votes (8.84%), Jasper Molo (Independent) receiving 1,558 votes (4.84%), and Stephen Omara (Independent) garnering 507 votes (1.57%).
The slim margin between Jalameso and Obua heightened political tension and made the re-run widely viewed as decisive in determining the final winner of the Ajuri County seat.
Final Results and EC Assurance
Following the fresh election in the affected polling stations, Jalameso extended his lead, securing victory and officially being declared the Member of Parliament for Ajuri County in the 12th Parliament.
Announcing the final figures, Electoral Commission officials stated that the re-run was conducted peacefully, transparently, and in accordance with electoral laws, with agents of all candidates present during 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.
Political Significance
Jalameso’s victory represents a major blow to the ruling NRM, as it unseats one of the most senior figures in government and returns the Ajuri County seat to the UPC, a party with deep historical roots in the region. Political analysts interpret the outcome as a signal of shifting voter sentiment and growing competitiveness of opposition parties in northern Uganda.
Speaking shortly after his declaration, Jalameso thanked voters for their resilience and trust, pledging inclusive leadership, reconciliation, and development.
“I extend an olive branch to all my competitors. Ajuri County needs unity, service, and development, not division,” he said.
Meanwhile, Denis Hamson Obua had not issued a formal statement by the time of publication, though NRM sources indicated the party was studying the detailed results and considering its next steps.
The Ajuri County re-run is now being cited as a key test of Uganda’s electoral dispute resolution mechanisms and the electorate’s determination to ensure their votes count.
