In Tororo, triumphant Opendi urges unity as challengers cry foul

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The mounting anxiety around the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Tororo Woman MP primary election came to an end when incumbent Sarah Acheing Opendi was declared the winner of the party flag.

The announcement came on the back of an anxious period characterised by missing results and rising tensions amongst the contenders.

But after the recovery of the missing declaration forms from Kisoko sub-county and resumption of tallying at Tororo youth centre hall on Saturday, Opendi reigned supreme.

That means she will carry the NRM flag for the parliamentary seat race in next year's general election.

Opendi won with 65,720 votes out of a total of 125,699 votes cast, locking in her triumph in a hotly contested race.

Former High Commissioner to Kenya, Amb. Phibby Awere Otaala was second with 29,536 votes, followed by Angella Akoth, who got 16,744 votes.  

Other candidates included Annet Rose Achola (12,681 votes), Elizabeth Andera (10,259 votes), Tororo district vice-chairperson Rebecca Akumu (10,007 votes), Robina Sule Athieno (9,941 votes), Maureen Sefulos Amalli (7,250 votes), Mary Bayeke Achom (7,122 votes), Annet Okumu (6,188 votes), and Faith Asiimwe (1,874 votes).

Moments after being declared the winner, Opendi told reporters that she had won against "invisible hands" that had tried to undermine her candidature.

"This is the first time I am being declared flagbearer for NRM in Tororo after three good days of struggling, but the people's wish wouldn't be overturned easily," she said.

"I know there are some people up there who think they can decide, but this time around, I must thank President Museveni [NRM chairperson] for sending a neutral team that oversaw this process in Tororo."  

Opendi appealed to her fellow contenders to unite and work together for the betterment of Tororo district.

"In an election, there is always one winner. I have won this contest, and the only thing left is for my other contenders to join me and we work for our people in Tororo who appreciate Sarah Opendi as their best leader," she said.

Despite her call for unity, Opendi's victory is far from settled.  

At least ten of her 11 challengers have filed a petition alleging electoral irregularities and manipulation of results. They are demanding a fresh election in the district to determine the flagbearer.

The ruling NRM party appointed a 28-member tribunal to handle election petitions following Thursday's primaries conducted in over 70,000 villages across the country.

For now, Opendi joins seven other NRM members who have been declared flagbearers in Tororo.

Simon Nicholas Owino secured the Tororo County North flag, Fredrick Angura won in Tororo County South, while Apollo Yeri Ofwono emerged victorious in Tororo Municipality.

George Oketcho won in West Budama South, Max Ochai in West Budama North, Richard Owere Machika in West Budama North East, and defence minister Jacob Oboth Oboth retained his seat in West Budama Central.  

The primaries saw the defeat of two incumbent MPs, Dr Emmanuel Otaala (West Budama South) and Fox Odoi (West Budama North East).