Voting for the position of Male Councillor III in Pondwongo Ward, Pager Division, Kitgum Municipality has been suspended following the death of one of the candidates on Tuesday evening, just hours before polling was due to begin.
The deceased, Nicholas Otim Ojara, an independent candidate, reportedly died at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Kitgum, at about 4:00 pm after being admitted with complaints of general body weakness.
Michael Ivan Ocaya, a resident of the area and former youth representative, said the deceased had been conducting his campaigns normally and had no known history of medical complications.
Ocaya told Uganda Radio Network that by the time he went to visit Ojara at the hospital, he had already died, just a few hours after being admitted.
According to Ocaya, doctors said the candidate also developed shortness of breath, but efforts to stabilize him were unsuccessful.
Betty Atim Owot, the Kitgum District Returning Officer, confirmed receiving information about the candidate’s death and said elections in the five affected polling stations were cancelled on Wednesday morning.
Owot added that a new date would be announced to allow for fresh nominations to replace the deceased candidate.
The other candidates in the race are Francis Komakech (FDC), Joseph Okwera (NRM), and Ronald Opwonya (Independent).
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