Newly Elected LC I chairpersons celebrate victory as outgoing leaders hand over offices

29 July 2026, 7:50 am

By Geoffrey Okwong

 Newly elected LC I chairpersons across Pader District on Tuesday began taking over office from their predecessors following the nationwide Local Council I elections. 

The peaceful transition saw outgoing leaders hand over office stamps, records and pending cases to the newly elected chairpersons, who pledged to provide accountable leadership and work with residents to improve their communities.

The handover process started in several villages shortly after the declaration of results, with jubilant supporters celebrating the election of their preferred candidates.

In Lagwai Zone A Cell, Lagwai Parish, two candidates contested for the LC I chairperson seat, with Galileo Oyet, a retired primary school head teacher, defeating the incumbent, Charles Walumbe, by 101 votes to 20.

Earlier, two aspiring candidates, Beatrice Anek and Bosco Abwola, stepped down in support of the retired educationist. Out of the 156 registered voters in the village, 121 cast their ballots.

Speaking during the handover ceremony, the outgoing chairperson, Charles Walumbe, presented his handover report and officially handed over the office stamp before residents, saying it had been an honour and privilege to serve the people of Lagwai Zone A as their chairperson.

In his report, Walumbe briefed the incoming chairperson on two pending cases—a phone theft case and a dispute over the property of the late Nyeko—which were still before his office and had not yet been concluded.

Speaking after the elections, Beatrice Anek, popularly known as “God Alone,” said although she had been duly nominated to contest for the LC I chairperson seat, she chose to step down in favour of Galileo Oyet because she believed he was more competent and experienced to lead the village.

Meanwhile, there was also jubilation in Lagwai Zone B Cell, Lagwai East, where residents retained their leaders with decisive victories, demonstrating continued confidence in their leadership.

In the LC I chairperson race, Gon Oola secured victory after polling 134 votes against 84 garnered by his challenger, John Okidi Lapyem. A total of 279 voters had registered for the election in the village.

The election process in Lagwai East was briefly disrupted after some residents whose names could not be verified on the voters’ register attempted to force their way into the voting lines. Police officers intervened to restore order, allowing the exercise to proceed peacefully to its conclusion.

In another contest in Lagwai Zone B, the incumbent chairperson, Santo Oding, retained his seat after securing 64 votes. His challengers, Bosco Oryema Odija and Patrick Okot Lumumba, polled 20 and five votes respectively.

Addressing supporters during a victory procession, Oding thanked residents for renewing their confidence in his leadership and pledged to continue working with all members of the community regardless of whom they supported during the election. He called for unity and collective efforts toward the development of Lagwai Zone B.

Oding, who appointed a retired primary school head teacher as his vice chairperson, said such leaders bring valuable knowledge, experience and leadership skills gained from managing institutions such as schools, which he believes will strengthen service delivery in the village.

He also warned residents against promoting division within the community and vowed to continue fighting alcoholism, drunkenness and drug abuse, saying the social challenges continue to undermine development in Lagwai.

In Ogwaleng Valley Cell, Luna Parish, the incumbent, George Oyete Kagwa, managed only nine votes, while Abibu Afuna Adula emerged victorious with 110 votes. Sydonia Aryemo came third with 58 votes.

Speaking after his victory, Abibu thanked the residents of Ogwaleng Valley for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the village.

He urged residents to remain united and work together for the transformation of their community, saying the election period was over and it was now time for everyone to focus on development.

Abibu also pledged to strengthen coordination between the village leadership and higher levels of government to ensure that community concerns are effectively addressed.

Commenting on the elections in Lunyiri Sub-county, LC III Chairperson Charles Odongtoo described the exercise as free and fair, saying he had not received any reports of malpractice or major incidents from across the sub-county.