Incumbent MP loses petition, declares bid to return as independent

20 August 2025, 7:33 am

By Ayiro Golden Vicky

Aciro Paska Menya, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Pader District, has announced her intention to re-enter the race as an Independent candidate under the symbol of the pot, after losing her petition against the NRM primary results.

This follows the dismissal of her case challenging the NRM primaries of 17 July 2025, in which her rival, CD Lowila Oketayot, was declared the duly elected party flag bearer.

According to the results, Ms Lowila won with 18,807 votes (53.8%), narrowly defeating Ms Menya, who secured 16,138 votes (44.2%).

A copy of the tribunal ruling, issued in Kampala on 15 August 2025 and seen by Luo FM, confirmed Ms Lowila as the official NRM flag bearer for the Pader Woman MP seat.

The ruling, signed and certified by John Musiime, Chairperson of the NRM Election Disputes Tribunal, and delivered by members Tendo Lubwama and Joseph Ogwang, dismissed Ms Menya’s petition in its entirety.

Speaking to Luo FM, Ms Lowila explained that, after the inclusion of results from four initially withheld sub-counties, her margin of victory widened to 3,204 votes, higher than the earlier tally announced by the registrar.

In response, Ms Menya vowed to remain in the race, pledging to contest as an Independent candidate in the January 2026–2031 general elections, with the pot as her chosen symbol.

Meanwhile, although most petitions have already been concluded, the Tribunal is still handling a few pending cases, including those concerning LC5 positions, which are expected to be ruled upon in the coming days.