ARUA – Mr Kassiano Wadri has been declared winner of the hotly contested Arua Municipality MP by-election, maintaining his earlier lead during the tallying of votes to defeat 11 other candidates in the race that turned violent at the tail end of the campaigns.
Ms Ruth Angom, the Arua district returning officer declared Wadri winner at exactly 9:55 pm.
Despite being in military detention since Monday, Wadri garnered 6,421 votes while his closest challenger, Nusura Tiperu of NRM polled 4,798 votes. Robert Ejiku came third with 2,694 votes. Forum for Democratic Change candidate, Musema Bruce came fourth with 1,369.
Independent Atima Jackson got 835 votes, Anguandia Samuel 136 and Alekua Jaffer of JEEMA party polled 38votes. Simon Avutia and Nyakuni Alfred got 32 and 30 votes respectively, while Madira Kennedy of DP got 26 votes. Bavuga Safi and Elton Nyero Francis obtained 19 and 18 votes respectively.
While announcing the results, the chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Justice Simon Mugenyi Byabakama lauded the area residents for turning up in big numbers to vote.
He said the people showed their resilience and spirit to choose their regardless of what happened.