By Lazaro Apunyo
Moroto High Court Circuit’s Chief Magistrate, James Opio has dismissed an application filed by the former LCV chairperson of Napak district, Joseph Lomoyanga, disputing results for Bokora East County Parliamentary race, in which he lost to the incumbent Member of Parliament, Peterken Lochap.
Angella Jolly Lokutae, the Napak district returning officer, on January 16, 2026, in accordance with Section 77 (1) of the parliamentary Act, Cap 177, declared Lochap, NRM flag bearer, the winner of the race which attracted three contenders.
According to the official results Lochap secured 8,178 votes, against Lomonyang’s 7,613 votes and Robert Adupa garnered 1,152 votes.
Lomonyang, who contested as an incumbent after losing the NRM primaries on July 14, 2025, ran to court seeking orders to recount ballots, citing irregularities in ballot staffing, and falsification of numerical figures in seven polling stations in favor of the winner.
He claimed that the district election officials opened the store where the ballot boxes and other election materials were kept and stuffed the ballots in favour of the incumbent, who was subsequently declared the winner.
“The district returning officer, Angella Jolly Lokutae, assured us that she had procured a padlock with security-alarm for securing the ballot box storage facilities, ensuring restricted access. However, she colluded with her colleagues to breach the security of these facilities and conduct ballot stuffing in favour of the winning candidate”, Lomonyang told a fully packed court.
However, in his verdict delivered last evening, the Moroto High Court magistrate James Opio, dismissed the application on grounds that there was no substantive evidence to authenticate the allegations of ballot stuffing and falsification of results, which reportedly compromised the election outcome.
He subsequently upheld Lochap’s win as duly elected Member of Parliament for Bokora East Constituency.
“This court has no jurisdiction to hold a vote recount on allegations that the electoral materials have been tampered with, yet there is not sufficient evidence to justify the claims. And If I do so then I would compromise the integrity of the court. Therefore, I dismiss the application with no costs, and order the Electoral Commission to uphold Lochap’s victory”, Opio ruled.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the court ruling, Lomonyang said he was not with the verdict but didn’t say whether he will appeal the ruling or not.
“I don’t think this is what I had come for. But I just need time to think before I can pronounce the next course of action” Lomonyang told the press.
He observed that the ruling does not only affect him as an individual but the entire people of Bokora East County, whom he said genuinely voted for him.
In his part, Peterken Lochap, who was presented by Alfred Okello Oryem of Okello Oryem and company advocates, applauded the magistrates ruling for upholding his victory, describing it as the will of the people.
“I’m happy with the outcome of the court, some people were dissatisfied with the outcome of the elections, claiming that the process was marred with irregularities without enough evidence,”, Lochap said.
He called on the people of Bokora East County to disband political camps and unite for a common cause.
