Teso North MP Oku Kaunya has been reelected.
The ODM lawmaker defeated six other candidates; he was 10,000 votes ahead of his closest challenger.
Kaunya garnered 23,403 votes from the 59,785 registered voters in the constituency.
More than 40,000 voters cast ballots on Tuesday.
Kaunya’s main challenger, Lawi Mamai (DAP-K) came in second with 11,534 votes. It was Mamai’s second attempt following another unsuccessful bid in 2017 when he lost to Kaunya.
Third was Fred Okademi of Wiper who scooped 2,118 votes in the constituency that borders Uganda.
Okademi was followed by UDA’s John Imoite who received 1,271 votes. Imoite came ahead of Charles Aramaina (Movement for Democracy and Growth) who ranked fifth as Samson Owino came in at position six with 439 votes.
Another independent candidate, Cornelius Omuse, closed the list of the aspirants at position seven with 178 votes.
The results were declared by Teso North returning officer Andrew Wetende.
The election were generally peaceful apart from an incident on Tuesday.
Kaunya’s three bodyguards were involved in a fracas after supporters of Mamai intercepted a vehicle in which they had ferried Kaunya supporters to Mwari polling station,
It was alleged they were supposed to bribe residents to vote against Mamai.
During the incident, one of Kaunya’s bodyguards was disarmed by members of the public. The gun was handed over to police who arrived at scene.
Kaunya, after receiving his victory certificate from Wetende, called on his opponents to join him in uplifting the livelihoods of the residents of Teso North.
“This was a democratic race and we expect those who have lost to accept that they have lost,” Kaunya said at 2am on Thursday after being declared winner.
“As a winner I will work with my opponents in ensuring we work for all the people of Teso North.”
“Those who have lost have a chance to try their luck again in future elections. Politics is not enmity. I therefore call upon my opponents to join me to work together so we transform Teso North through development.”
His focus, after swearing in, will be to complete projects he started in his first term but lacked time to conclude.
Kauny also said he will focus on ensuring more students are enrolled to pursue technical courses, especially those who don't perform well in Form 4.
(Edited by V. Graham)
