The recently concluded Local Government Council elections in Katakwi District have delivered a major political shake-up, with only two incumbent members of the District Executive Committee (DEC) retaining their seats. Katakwi District has 41 councilors representing 14 sub-counties and four town councils, covering 20 administrative units. The two incumbents who survived the political wave are Abdul Okeng, the Works and Natural Resources Secretary representing Palam Sub-county, and Bosco Okiror Aliabu, the District Speaker representing Kapujan Sub-county.
Abdul Okeng of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), who has served as district councillor for Palam for five years, secured a commanding victory after polling 2,504 votes, defeating his closest challenger, Charles Alemukori, an independent candidate who garnered 807 votes in a three-candidate race. Bosco Okiror Aliabu also retained his seat after polling 2,459 votes, narrowly defeating his closest rival, Joshua Amuge, who garnered 2,149 votes.
Two other incumbent members of the district executive lost their seats. Irene Among, the Education and Social Services Secretary representing Akoboi and Getom sub-counties, was defeated by independent candidate Josephine Akullo, who polled 3,050 votes against Among’s 2,854 votes. The Secretary for Health, Agella Akengo, representing Angodingod Sub-county, lost to Oliver Alungat, who secured 936 votes against Akengo’s 716.
Two other secretaries—Joseph Ecuman, the Leader of Council Business and Vice Chairperson representing Ongogonja Sub-county, and Marion Atim of Kapujan—did not appear on the ballot. Several incumbent councillors were defeated by first-time candidates across the district. In Katakwi Sub-county, incumbent David Otworot, an independent candidate, was defeated by Gilbert Akwang of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who polled 1,550 votes against Otworot’s 557. In the same sub-county, Martine Ediedu, contesting on the NRM ticket, won with 541 votes, defeating incumbent Joseph Isadat, an independent, who garnered 268 votes.
The political shift was also evident in Ngariam and Okore sub-counties, where incumbent Margaret Imalingat of the NRM lost to Jane Christine Adeke, an independent candidate who polled 1,811 votes against Imalingat’s 1,602. In Akoboi Sub-county, incumbent Quirino Ekatu, an independent, was defeated by Gabriel Okure of the NRM, who polled 1,778 votes compared to Ekatu’s 569. In Angodingod Sub-county, incumbent Francis Iyeset, an independent, lost to James Olupot of the NRM, who garnered 1,013 votes against 202.
In Getom Sub-county, Egau Ben emerged victorious on the NRM ticket after polling 1,474 votes, defeating incumbent Jimmy Okello Papa, an independent, who garnered 498 votes. In Magoro Sub-county and Magoro Town Council, independent candidate Kavin Aanyu was defeated by Grace Asio of the NRM, who secured 2,343 votes against 1,683. For the male councillor seat, Patrick Emongot lost to Ebu Stephen, who polled 481 votes against Emongot’s 352.Toroma Sub-county stood out as the only area to elect a National Unity Platform (NUP) councillor. David Livingstone Ilima defeated incumbent Julius Odeke, an independent, and John Akileng of the NRM after polling 293 votes against 95 and 286 votes respectively.With the majority of incumbent LC V councillors losing their seats, the new council is expected to raise pressing issues related to poor service delivery, unfulfilled development promises, and allegations of land grabbing by prominent figures, particularly in Okore and Angisa areas.
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