Justice Forum (JEEMA) president Mr Asuman Basalirwa has officially been declared the Member of Parliament for Bugiri Municipality.
Mr Basalirwa who unsuccessfully contested three consecutive times for Bukooli North MP seat, was on Friday night declared the winner of Bugiri Municipality MP race by the Bugiri District Returning Officer, Ms Kunihira Christine.
Basalirwa who got 3,928 votes, was followed by NRM candidate Mr Francis Oketcho with 3,267 and the FDC candidate Ms Eunice Namatende came third with 928 votes.
Others; Hajji Lyavala Samanya (ind) got 8 votes and Mr Joel Wamono also on independent ticket got 15 votes.
Mr Basalirwa while addressing journalists after being declared a winner, said his victory has not been so easy but thanked God for the success. He promised good service delivery to the people of Bugiri.
“I am happy that finally Electoral Commission has declared me a winner. I want to thank the people of Bugiri Municipality for the trust and commitment they have showed me,” he said, promising to pay back by representing them effectively in the Parliament.
Mr Basalirwa had earlier promised to challenge the election results if he lost, citing the alleged voter bribery mainly by the Bukooli Central MP Solomon Silwany in the favour of NRM candidate Mr Francis Oketcho.
Mr Silwany survived being lynched by Basalirwa supporters when they accused him of giving out money to change the voters.
The Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Simon Byamukama urged the winners to embrace those they have defeated.
“I want to appeal to the winners that please embrace those whom you have defeated because leadership is not all about taking it all, but serving and sharing with others,” he said.
He also requested those who lost to be calm and maintain in peace since the next election is not very far.
“If you lost today please remain calm so that people feel your presence” he said, adding that; “we are now in 2018, and the MP who has been elected will serve up to 2021. So maintain peace so that you can try your luck again in 2021.
