In Tororo District, at least 15 incumbent LC3 chairpersons lost their seats in the February 4 sub county and divisions polls, indicating a growing voter appetite for change driven by dissatisfaction with individual performance rather than party affiliation.
The trend suggests voters are increasingly prioritising accountability and responsiveness from their leaders.
The election saw a notable recovery of the Uganda People’s Congress party, which won two seats, including Magola sub county, where Ojwang Obbo won, and Kalait sub county, where Ejakait Omwami Obwana won.
The ruling National Resistance Movement party flag bearers or its leaning candidates dominated the seats, narrowing the opposition’s dominance, especially in Tororo County.
Some of the prominent losers included those who had served multiple terms, such as Pade Oguti (Akadot sub county), Simon Dogo (Nagongera sub county), Harriet Awino (Apetai sub county), Asher Wilson Obonyo Songa (Mukulu sub county), William Nyamboro (Sop Sop sub county), Francis Abulu Onyadi (Kwapa Town Council), and Joseph Okello Kasolo (Kirewaa Sub county). Others were Christine Awino (Sere sub county), Betty Nyadoi Ochwo (Katajula sub county), Nicholas Onyango (Iyolwa town council), Jimmy Oteba (Kalait sub county), Moses Othieno (Ojilai sub county), Owor Christopher (Kidoko sub county), and Francis Okolong (Molo sub county).
Voter Simon Ekituna attributed the losses to incumbents losing touch with voters and failing to meet their needs.
“I don’t think they would have lost if they kept touch with the voters. What has happened is a warning to those who have been elected into offices,” he said.
Ojwang Obbo, who renewed his third term as Magola LC3 chairperson, credited his success to staying connected with voters and empowering LCI’s to handle simple disputes.
“I realized referring most cases to police was making my people poorer because whenever they are arrested they are asked to pay police bond where they end up selling properties and it’s in this background that I tasked LC’s to handle them,” he shares.