The highly contested Serere County MP by-election was finally concluded on Thursday - with Mr. Emmanuel Omoding declared winner.
Omoding, who stood as Independent in the race is the son to deceased area legislator Patrick Okabe and with his win, he stands to replace his father who died in a car crash on December 19, 2022 alongside his wife Christine Okabe!
Ms Sylvia Cheptegei Nangendo, the Serere District returning officer, declared Mr Omoding the winner with 15,638 votes, while his closest rival, Mr Phillip Oucor of NRM, got 13,206 votes.
“By the powers entrusted to me, I declare Emmanuel Omoding as the duly elected MP for Serere County, having obtained the majority vote,” Ms Cheptegei said.
Ms Alice Alaso of Opposition Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) got 3,339; Mr Martin Onguruco, an independent, got 2,523, and Mr Emmanuel Eratu of FDC came last with 1,252.
Upon being declared winner, Omoding thanked the voters for the support saying his victory was a true manifestation of his father's legacy - one he promised to take ahead.
"I pledge to continue with the projects my late father left and I am ready for the task ahead" he said!
Omoding, despite being an NRM supporter was denied the NRM party card because the party had Mr. Phillip Oucor, a substantive NRM flag bearer in the area.
Prior to his father's death, Omoding was living in Australia. To win the highly contested race to Parliament - He rode on the father's popularity among the NRM structures and the locals whose father touched their hearts!
