Former Lira city west MP candidate drags EC to court over failure to organize by-election for division mayor

By Denis Okello (denis.okello@vol.co.ug)

Lira

Former Lira city West division MP candidate Anthony Ojuka has dragged the electoral commission to court over failure to organize by-election to replace the late mayor of Lira city West division Michael Ogwal Achonga.

Ogwal Aconga died in October 2023, and in March 2024, former Lira city Town Clerk, the late Theophilas Tibihika affirmed  the division deputy mayor Rose Ongom to continue to serve in position of the division mayor until 2026 when a new mayor will be elected..

On the other hand, the speaker of Lira City Council, Patrick Okwir while basing on the local government act stated that the deputy mayor care takes the office of the mayor that has been left vacant for a period of 60 days after which a by-election is supposed to be held.

Anthony Ojuka wants court to penalize the electoral commission for failing to organize the by-election within 60 days as stipulated in section 113 of the local government act.

Ojuka through his lawyer, Omara and company advocates said the town clerk of Lira city west had notified the electoral commission about the position of the mayor of Lira city west division that had been left vacant but nothing was done to that effect.

Ojuka, attributes leadership wrangles in Lira city west absence of an elected mayor.

He wondered why the electoral commission has been fast on organizing by election for MPs and LCVs but not for Lira city west division and other lower local government seats.

Ojuka wants court to order the electoral commission to organize a by-election for Lira city west division mayor and for Rose Ongom who is caretaking this office to vacate.

Lira was supposed to hear the matter on Monday, 2nd, but it was adjourned till 17.10.2024 due to absence of the resident state attorney.