By Emmanuel Olinga
Seven aspirants in Katakwi District have failed to be nominated to contest for parliamentary seats, both at the district woman and constituency levels, in the forthcoming 2026 general elections.
The Katakwi District Electoral Commission successfully nominated 24 candidates across three constituencies during the two-day nomination exercise held on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd October 2025.
According to Stephen Makubuya, the Katakwi District Returning Officer, the seven aspirants who missed nomination failed due to various reasons, including failure to provide required documents, submission of incomplete nomination forms, and absence on the scheduled nomination days despite booking appointment slots.
He further explained that five applicants did not show up, two failed to meet the nomination requirements, and several lacked supporters to endorse their candidature as required by the Parliamentary Elections Act, Cap 177, Section 28 (1).
Among those who missed nomination are Cecilia Anyakoit (Independent, Woman MP), Frances Clare Apolot (FDC, Woman MP), Paul Malinga (Toroma County, Independent), Charles Hammer Odeng (Ngariam County, Independent), Violet Akurut Adome, Moses Akol Ecaboi (NUP, Usuk County), and Jude Amodoi (Independent, Usuk County).
Makubuya noted that one of the affected candidates presented another person to stand in for her during nomination, which contravened the law requiring candidates to appear in person.
Frances Clare Apolot, the FDC candidate for Woman MP and a relative of Vice President Rtd Maj Jessica Rose Alupo, missed nomination after failing to present a proposer and seconder in person.
Apolot pleaded with the Electoral Commission to exercise leniency and allow her to replace the nominees who had backed out at the last minute.
Meanwhile, Stephen Alemukori, an aspirant for Ngariam County, revealed that financial constraints prevented him from meeting the UGX 3 million required for nomination.
He said his piggery project had not yielded enough income to cover the UGX 2.7 million nomination fee, leaving him UGX 300,000 short, which cost him his place in the race.
Paul Malinga, an independent aspirant for Toroma County, said his nomination was rejected because he failed to submit forms in triplicate as required, despite having paid the full nomination fee.
Despite the setbacks, the District successfully nominated 24 candidates in total.
For the Woman MP seat, only Rtd Maj Jessica Rose Alupo of the NRM and Angella Anuken (Independent) were successfully nominated.
In Ngariam County, seven candidates were cleared: Peter Ogwang (NRM), Daniel Mulalu (Independent), Augustine Otuko (Independent), Andrew Joseph Omiat (UPC), Michael Ochailap Akabwai (NUP), John Baptist Eidit (Independent), and Apuda Ignatius (FDC)
In Usuk County, five aspirants were nominated: Richard Ogorok (NRM), Charles Okideny (Independent), Epel Alex (FDC), Bosco Okiror (Independent), and Simon Peter Ogulo (DP)
The Toroma County race attracted ten aspirants, including: Andrew Joseph Koluo (Independent), Solomon Ossiya Alemu (NRM), Walter Elakas (Independent), Allan Aporu (Independent), Benjamin Akiso (NUP), Paul Ikwap (FDC), Robert Ekongot (Independent), Julius Eupet (Independent), and Okello Stephen (Independent).
Mr. Makubuya commended the smooth and peaceful conduct of the nomination exercise and urged all successful candidates to submit their campaign schedules early enough to help the Electoral Commission harmonize activities and prevent clashes during the campaign period.
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