MP-elect assures Aruu residents of government commitment to development after massive vote

16 May 2026, 9:48 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

Christopher Komakech, the Member of Parliament-elect for Aruu County, has assured residents of Aruu County of the government’s commitment to development following what he described as overwhelming support for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the 2026 general elections.

Speaking during a thanksgiving ceremony held at Mayor’s Garden in Pader Town Council on Thursday, Komakech said the strong support for the NRM would help attract government appointments and development projects to the district.

Komakech, who hails from Laming Ojungume Ward in Puranga Town Council, Pader District, and was sworn into Parliament for a second term at 11:28 a.m. on 14th May 2026, called on residents to work together with him, saying there is still much to be done for the development of Aruu County and Pader District as a whole.

He thanked his political rivals, especially Raymond Lowita, whom he competed against during the NRM primary elections, as well as his main challenger, Samuel Odonga Otto, saying his victory was not because he was necessarily the best candidate, but because the people entrusted him with the mandate.

Komakech described the race for the parliamentary seat as a football match, saying he first faced Raymond Lowita during the primary elections before meeting Samuel Odonga Otto in the general elections, but voters ultimately handed him “the cup.”

He further noted that due to the overwhelming votes cast for the NRM party in the January 2026 general elections, residents should expect major developments including road construction, the approval of municipality status, a district hospital, and an industrial park for Pader District.

Meanwhile, Gon Oola, the LC I Chairperson of Lagwai East Village where the function was held, urged the MP-elect to work closely with fellow leaders including Welborn Ottober Odiya, the MP-elect for Aruu North, and CD Lowila Oketayot, the Woman Member of Parliament-elect for Pader District.

Gon Oola also reminded the legislator about the cattle compensation project that stalled during the election period, warning that some beneficiaries may die before receiving support if the process continues to delay.

He appealed to the government to increase the number of beneficiaries from five per village to at least ten.

The highly contested results, declared by the Pader District Returning Officer, Gemei Eric, on 16th January 2026 at 12:48 p.m, confirmed Christopher Komakech as the winner of the Aruu County parliamentary seat.

According to the Electoral Commission in Pader District, Komakech obtained 10,455 votes, narrowly defeating Samuel Odonga Otto, who garnered 10,429 votes out of a total of 20,884 valid votes cast across 115 polling stations.

Odonga has since cited widespread irregularities in the election results and says the matter warrants determination by the High Court.