Written By | Jovita Hasto
Mr Agaba defeated two independent candidates: Mr Innocent Bakamuhara Mwiine, who obtained 12,904 votes, and Mr Sarapio Betungura, who garnered 177 votes
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The Ibanda District Returning Officer, Ms Aidah Barekye, has declared Mr Peter Agaba as the duly elected Member of Parliament for Ibanda Municipality for the 2026–2031 term after garnering 14,279 votes.
Mr Agaba defeated two independent candidates: Mr Innocent Bakamuhara Mwiine, who obtained 12,904 votes, and Mr Sarapio Betungura, who garnered 177 votes.
Mr Agaba said his journey to securing the seat had not been easy, citing the postponement of the general election after one of his rivals, Mr Rashid Muganda Kirangwa, had a ballot symbol mismatch, where his symbol did not correspond with the megaphone he had chosen.
“It has not been easy, and I thank God for what we have waited for for so long that has finally come to pass. I started this journey in 2016, and things did not go well even in the 2021 elections, but God has remembered us,” he said.
He noted that the postponement of the recent parliamentary election in Ibanda Municipality brought several challenges but commended voters for remaining steadfast.
“On January 15, we discovered errors on the ballot papers for one of the candidates, but the EC managed to address the issue and scheduled a new date for the election. What God prepares for the poor cannot rot; I have emerged victorious,” he said.
Mr Agaba said he is ready to transform Ibanda Municipality by fostering unity and collaboration for development.
“My supporters know that there were ups and downs aimed at frustrating us, but we managed to overcome them. I call upon everyone to remain peaceful and work together so that Ibanda can develop, because we shall deliver services,” he asserted.
He pledged to work with other leaders to ensure that campaign promises are fulfilled in line with the NRM manifesto and his mandate as a legislator.
“During the campaigns, we promised the people of Ibanda improved access to water and electricity, especially in areas that have remained in darkness. Household incomes improve when we work with the President to implement the NRM manifesto and address the needs of Ibanda. These developments will not come from my pocket, but through lobbying with fellow leaders,” he added.
Ms Aidah Barekye, the Ibanda District Registrar, said that despite the postponement on January 15, she was pleased that candidates remained calm throughout the process.
“We declared the winners today (January 28), announced the performance in each category, and concluded the exercise without any complaints from the participating candidates,” she said.
Additional Information
In the Ibanda Municipality mayoral race, Mr Deusdedit Mulinde was declared the winner after securing 13,508 votes. He defeated the NRM flag bearer, Mr Johnson Kanyomozi; PFF’s Anselm Arinaitwe Ndikola, who obtained 219 votes; and independent candidate Gilbert Mukama, who garnered 153 votes. Mr Mulinde previously served as Mayor of Ibanda Town Council from 2001 to 2016, before it was elevated to municipality status.
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