In Arua—
Jailed former Terego MP Kassiano Wadri Ezati has been announced winner of the hotly contested Arua Municipality parliamentary seat.
The seat became vacant in June following the brutal murder of Col. Ibrahim Abiriga as he returned home in Matugga, Wakiso district.
Wadri, who went in the race as an independent candidate, having failed to convince his party FDC to hand him the flag, was announced winner, a few minutes to 10pm on Wednesday.
Wadri polled 6421 votes, while his closest contender and NRM’s Nusura Tiperu managed 4798.
The FDC candidate Bruce Musema, for which the entire opposition party leadership including strongman Col Dr Kiiza Besigye campaigned for, came in fourth position with 1369 votes.
Hon Wadri’s victory however, will not be optimally celebrated, because it found him locked up behind bars and facing treason charges according to reports.
Wadri, together with three other MPs and one former MP were arrested in the chaos that marked the last day of campaigns on Monday.
Police claims he and his colleague Robert Ssentamu Kyagulanyi were found with guns.
Speaking before the declaration of the results, the Electoral Commission Chairman Justice Byabakama expressed relief that the events of Monday in which at least one person was shot dead, did not deter today’s exercise.
“Following the Monday incident, there was fear that today wouldn’t be possible, but because of determination and resilience of the people of Arua, that’s why it wasn’t postponed.”
Byabakama further urged the successful candidates in the race to take heart and wait for another round of elections.
“We are told that following the court decision in Mbale, we may have elections in 2021; so take heart, go back and wait for the next round,” he said.
The final election results came out as follows
Kassiano Wadri: 6421
Tiperu Nusura: 4798
Robert Ejiku 2694
Musema Bruce 1369
Atima Jackson 835
Sunday Angudia 196
Jafar Alekua 38
Simon Avutia 32
Alfred Nyakuni 30
Madira Kennedy 26
Bavuga Safi 19
Elton Nyero 18
Invalid: 613
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