The Opposition has won all the all Local Council (LC) III seats in the 2016 election in Gulu municipality.
In Layibi division Independent candidate aligned to Go Forward, Alfred Oluba retained his seat with 1,791, Sunday Olanya (FDC) 888, Jacob Otobi Ojok (NRM) 723, Walter Odong aka Wee Yoo (UPC) 699 and Aron Onekalit (Indep) 144.
Shortly after declaration of results at midnight by Benson Obete, the Gulu returning officer at midnight, Mr Oluba said he intends to work ‘’closely’’ with the municipal authorities to achieve a city status.
“My work plan for Layibi (division) is to steer development as I work together with the municipal leaders because the Gulu municipal will be turning into a city”
Asked whether the former NRM member intends to join DP since the party’s president Norbert Mao had been campaigning for him, Mr Oluba simply said it will be ‘his people to decide from his party”.
“The people will decide where I will go but it will not be NRM because the party didn’t favor their interest,” Oluba said.
In Laroo division, Moses Aboga (FDC) also retained his seat with 1,498 trouncing three other contestants namely Agwani Oyet Samuel (1,007), Martin Oruu (716), Richard Orach (Indep) 89.
In Pece division, Kelly Komakech (FDC) replaced who DP’s Geoffrey Otim who failed recently in the Mayoral race. Komakech got 1,289 votes followed by Francis Okello Amodo (DP) who got 905, Geoffrey Opio Twongweno( 693) , Geoffrey Otim(NRM) 334, Candano Jacob (Indep) and Andrew Labeja Olweny (UPC) 89.
Kelly Komakech, the current Gulu municipal speaker pledged to improve on the infrastructure in Pece Division adding that he will ensure that there is transparency in public funds expenditure for development projects.
“Pece division still has poor roads that still need to be worked on and when I come into office, my first thing is to improve this. Secondly I will also make sure that those who engaged in stealing public funds are held accountable”, Mr Komakech who is also Gulu FDC publicity secretary said.
He also promised to utilize government funds that is given annually to economically empower women and promote vocational skills among idle youth.
In Bardege division Patrick Lumumba Oola (FDC) polled 1,677, defeating Geoffrey Akena (NRM) who got 1,204, Patrick Okello (Indep) 977 and Patrick Pius Ayella (Indep) 123.
Mr Lumumba says that his plan is to utilize the Rural Electrification (REA) by extending power in the whole of Bardege division adding this will help boost businesses thus uplifting the house hold income of the people
“Gulu municipality is a city to be and in my division (Bardege), half of the area does not have electricity. I plan to work together with REA so that power is connected everywhere and this boost many business.”
Mr Lumumba replaces the Late Tonny Okoya kene who succumbed to hepatitis B and liver diseases in October last year. Since then, Bardege has been run by their vice chairperson Moses Otema who lost the race to become councilor representing Kasubi parish.
Gulu registra, Mr Obete said the electoral process went smoothly despite sight delays in tallying the results.
By Terence Alur
