By Our Reporter

Kumi District — The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party President, Patrick Oboi Amuriat, suffered a stunning defeat in the Kanyum County parliamentary elections, losing heavily to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, Simon Peter Opolot-Okwalinga, according to official results released by the Kumi District Returning Officer.

The results, contained in the Return Form for Transmission of Results (Form RF) under Section 77(1) of the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap. 177, show that Opolot-Okwalinga secured 11,558 votes, leaving his competitors far behind in a hotly contested race.

The Returning Officer, Okello Geoffrey Jensen, confirmed the tally after counting votes from all polling stations in Kanyum County, officially declaring Opolot-Okwalinga as the duly elected Member of Parliament for the constituency.

Amuriat, contesting on the FDC ticket, managed only 3,441 votes, placing fourth behind not only the NRM candidate but also two strong independent contenders. Orena Vincent, an independent candidate, emerged as the main challenger, polling 6,018 votes, while another independent, Kedi Saul Patrick, garnered 4,608 votes.

Other contenders included:

• Aduba Joel (Independent) – 441 votes

• Akabwai James (NUP) – 190 votes

• Okanya John Kokas (Independent) – 1,697 votes

• Orion Osman (Independent) – 131 votes

In total, 28,084 valid votes were cast, alongside 908 rejected ballots, bringing the total ballots counted to 28,992. Analysts noted that the fragmented opposition vote significantly favored the NRM.

Opolot-Okwalinga’s decisive victory is seen as a major boost for the NRM in Kumi District, consolidating the party’s control over Kanyum County. Supporters celebrated across trading centers shortly after the announcement, demonstrating the party’s grassroots strength.

Political analysts attributed the win to the NRM’s strong mobilization, Opolot-Okwalinga’s deep local networks, and campaign messaging emphasizing service delivery, government programs, and alignment with the ruling party’s development agenda.

For Amuriat, a nationally prominent opposition figure, the loss represents a significant setback. His poor showing in Kanyum County has raised questions within opposition circles about strategy, local organization, and the ability of national leaders to convert prominence into constituency-level victories.

Some FDC supporters cited internal party weaknesses, while others blamed the rise of independent candidates, who have begun eroding traditional party strongholds. Observers also noted that voters favored candidates with better access to government resources and influence, a factor that contributed to Amuriat’s poor performance.

The election further highlights the growing influence of independent candidates in Ugandan politics. While independents collectively garnered a substantial portion of the vote, their divided support ultimately failed to challenge the NRM’s consolidated base in Kanyum County.

Source credit to TNN