Related Articles
BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: THURSDAY, AUGUST 14, 2025
The decision by the National Resistance Movement elections tribunal to uphold the recent win of Fiona Onzima as the flag bearer for Ayivu West is a win for the Constituency.
That was the view expressed by Ms Onzima following the tribunal ruling on Wednesday.
“That petition was a direct challenge to the voice of the people. It was as if they did not vote well,” noted Ms Onzima.
According to the official results, Fiona Onzima won with 10141 votes, beating Lematia into second place with 8960 votes while former legislator Bernard Atiku came third with 6964 votes.
In the petition contesting the results of the July 17, 2025 primary polls, incumbent Member of Parliament, John Lematia alleged wide spread irregularities on the voting day.
He claimed that these irregularities included voter disenfranchisement, intimidation by security forces and unlawful halting and restarting of voting which he claimed had substantially affected the outcome.
He had prayed for the nullification of the results and holding of fresh polls.
After thorough consideration of the merits of Lematia’s claims and defence testimony from Ms Onzima, the tribunal headed by Elton Mugabi dismissed the petition, thereby upholding Ms Onzima’s poll victory.
“I have always said that elections are not a do or die and of course during elections you can step on each-other’s foot,” Ms Fiona pointed out, asserting that “the most important thing is to place the people and development first.”
She said the primary elections was just a the first phase of the journey and called on her defeated opponents to join her camp so that together they can maneuver against the opposition and also mobilise for presidential candidate who will be Yoweri Museveni.
Ms Onzima promised to institute youth skilling programs, work to ensure improved health service delivery and safe water and improvement of roads and electricity connectivity to the rural flung of the constituency.
