By Annet Nakanwagi and Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
NATIONAL
The UPC president, Hon. Jimmy Akena has said that the recent victory in the Oyam North by-election will help in rebuilding the party in preparation for 2026 elections.
“This victory has set out pace that needs to be sustained with hard work, commitment and teamwork which gives tremendous hope for the party in the rebuilding phase and competing with others on the national political scene thus getting the party ready for the entire processes of 2026 general elections,” Akena said.
He was speaking to journalists at Uganda House on Wednesday.
On Friday (July 7), UPC candidate Dr. Apio Eunice Otuko was declared member of parliament – elect for Oyam North county after she garnered 15,718 votes against her closest contender, Samuel Engola Junior of NRM who polled 15,176 votes in a by-election to replace Col. Charles Okello Engola who died on May 2.
Akena however, says that the election was not fully free and fair because it was marred with irregularities such as ballot stuffing at some polling stations.
Additionally, the party president dismissed reports circulating on social media indicating that Dr. Apio was attacked and assaulted by a group of unknown persons.