Alebtong, Uganda, January 27, 2026 — Uganda People’s Congress candidate Fred Jalameso has won the Ajuri County parliamentary re run, defeating National Resistance Movement incumbent and Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua in a closely fought contest.
Final results released late Tuesday showed Jalameso polling 16,336 votes against Obua’s 15,568, handing the ruling party a rare defeat in northern Uganda.
The re run was conducted at 18 polling stations in Ajuri County, Alebtong District, after the Electoral Commission cancelled results from those areas following complaints of irregularities in the January 15 elections. One station was in Abako Sub county and 17 were in Awei Sub county.
Jalameso had petitioned the commission, citing differences between declared results and polling station records. Before the re run, provisional results from 160 uncontested polling stations already placed him ahead with about 14,331 votes against Obua’s 12,963.
Voter turnout was high, with long lines reported from early morning at Awei Trading Centre, Amukaola, Abako Corner and Apami Primary School. Alebtong District Returning Officer Jessica Adongo Ocen said strong voter sensitization contributed to the turnout.
Polling began later than scheduled at some stations after materials arrived in the morning. Officials said the process was generally calm and orderly throughout the day.
Security was tightened amid fears of violence, with police and soldiers deployed along major roads, including Lira to Awei to Abako and Aloi to Awei. Alebtong Resident District Commissioner Geoffrey Okiswa said several people were arrested while carrying pangas and clubs, adding that security agencies were taking no chances.
Despite the heavy security presence, voting and counting proceeded without major incident. Results were announced in the evening.
Jalameso won by a margin of 768 votes in a race that attracted five candidates. Forum for Democratic Change’s Emmanuel Ongom Okwel, independent Stephen Omara and independent Tom Jasper Molo also contested, though their final tallies were not immediately released.
The loss is a major setback for Obua, a senior figure in the ruling party and a key voice in Parliament. The contest was closely watched by opposition leaders, including UPC President Jimmy Akena, who monitored the process and said his party was determined to ensure transparency from start to finish.
For many voters, the re run carried special meaning. Gloria Acen, 20, a first time voter from Obupyen village, said the vote gave young people a chance to influence the future of their community.
