NEBBI – In a historic victory, Alur Kingdom Ucegu chiefdom princess Jackline Opar has become the first woman to be elected mayor of Nebbi municipality.
The win has seen Opar defeat four male opponents in what election observers are calling a watershed moment for women’s political participation in the West Nile region.
The results declared by Electoral Commission returning officer Denis Obong reveal that Opar secured 4,362 votes as incumbent Geoffrey Ngiriker trailed with 2,013 votes, while Charles Mba Ulangi received 607 votes, James Chombe Mucek garnered 428 votes, and Geoffrey Thorwinyowa came last with 157 votes.
However, low voter turnout was registered despite the election being a significant one. Out of the 23,075 registered voters in Nebbi municipality, only 7,656 participated in the election, leaving 15,419 eligible voters staying home.
Opar expressed gratitude, saying her win is significant: “The struggles of West Nile women have been recognised”.
Opar, who ran as a National Resistance Movement flag-bearer, pledged to work collaboratively with all stakeholders and to ensure that the shillings one billion road fund is put to good use and that USMID projects are brought to completion.
Ngiriker urged calm among his supporters regardless of the outcome.