Lira ex-division speaker sues over 2026 election loss

Former Lira City West division council speaker, Daniel Okello, has filed an election petition before the Lira Magistrate’s Court, challenging the recent election results. 

He alleges that the Electoral Commission colluded with the declared winner, Bosco Ogwal Geoffrey, to deny him victory. Okello claims he was the rightful winner of the election and that he was initially declared the winner while handing over his declaration results to him at the tallying center.

Speaking to journalists on Friday, May 21, 2026, at City Garden in Lira City, Okello confirmed that he has filed an election petition challenging Ogwal Geoffrey Bosco’s position as the representative for the people of Lira City West Division.

“I was surprised to hear the sad news that the Lira City returning officer had again declared another candidate, after the first declaration he made about me,” he said.

Okello said he remained quiet at first because he was still waiting for the Uganda Gazette that was issued on May 8, 2026.

“But to make it worse, unfortunately, my name was not on the list. Therefore, I have run to court over the election loss. On this matter, I have taken on two different sectors: my opponent, whose name was placed in the Uganda Gazette after the first declaration, alongside the Electoral Commission.”

Okello accused the Lira City returning officer of not performing well, especially regarding the election for directly elected councillors.

He argued that “for that matter, the court should declare me the winner because the accused person was working under the supervision of some people. He then failed to do his professional job. This shows he is not competent to conduct any free and fair election, especially in urban areas.”

The loser, until proven otherwise, noted that the court should reject his opponent’s declaration results to avoid further dispute, and that Ogwal must be removed from the position.

“Then the court will replace me as the right person who won the election,” Okello said. According to him, he got 4,301 votes while Ogwal Geoffrey Bosco got 4,288 votes. He added, “I have now filed my petition through my lawyer, Emmanuel Egaro and Company Advocates.”

Sarah Awor Angweri, former Lira City mayoral contestant, stated that the recent election was neither free, fair, nor based on merit. “I must thank Okello for seeking the right help through court procedures. My prayer is that the court gives him a fair hearing.”

Awor added that she remains confused because Okello was first declared the candidate, then later another person was declared the winner.

“Now, who won the election? We want the court to reveal to the public who the right candidate is and who won this election.”

She added that Okello has all the evidence, and they are happy he will present it in court, including the first declaration form.

“Even if I have not succeeded through other means, I promise to continue fighting for the rights of the people of Lira City against corruption in some of the elected candidates who make it but through the wrong way.”

Lydia Akello, a candidate who contested to represent women as their councillor for Lira City, stated that there was a logistical problem because their election was postponed three times.

She said she is ready to go and testify in court about everything that happened at the tallying center, including why the screen was turned off while the returning officer was declaring the results.