By Okidi Patrick
LIRA — The former Speaker of Lira City West Division, Mr. Daniel Okello, has filed a formal election petition at the High Court, seeking to overturn the election of Bosco Geoffrey Ogwal as a Lira City Councillor due to alleged ballot manipulation.
Addressing journalists during a press briefing at Lira City Garden on Friday, May 21, 2026, accampanied by Sarah Awor and Lydia Akello, Daniel Okello claimed the Lira City Electoral Commission (EC) issued two completely conflicting sets of results for the local government elections held on January 22, 2026.
According to the legal documents filed through Egaru and Company Advocates, Okello’s initial declared victory of 4,301 votes was abruptly overturned within minutes by the same Lira City embattled EC.
This second declaration reduced his numbers and instead awarded his rival, Bosco Geoffrey Ogwal, 4,288 votes, effectively declaring Ogwal as the winner meanwhile he had already carried the first declaration sheet that fully indicated him as the real and full winner. Okello argues that this sudden switch directly altered the genuine vote count, rendering Ogwal’s current presence in office illegal. The petition demands that the court cancel Ogwal’s representation and declare Okello Daniel the rightful winner.
Tally Centre Blackout Exposed by Lydia Akello:
The lawsuit is backed by key eye-witness testimonies from prominent Lira City politicians who claim the tallying process was deliberately compromised.
Lydia Akello, the former Councillor for Kirombe/Junior Quarter in the Lira City Council, revealed that EC and technical officials at the tally centre intentionally disrupted public viewing during the critical moments of data entry. “The display screen was turned off at the tally centre,” Akello stated, adding that she is ready to testify in court regarding the visual blackout.
The legal challenge has drawn strong backing from lawyers in Lango and Kampala who are calling for justice az two different declared results were issued by the city’s electoral returning officer.
Former mayoral aspirant and former Female workers’ representative for Lira City, Hon. Sarah Awor Angweri, commended Daniel Okello for using legal redress to fight the alleged electoral malpractice by EC in Lira city.
“Lira City witnessed a lot of suspected unfree and unfair elections during the 2026 election,” Angweri remarked. “It is my prayer that the Court grants Okello a transparent and fair hearing so that the true choice of the voters is restored.”
The Electoral Commission and Councilor Ogwal have been served with the petition and are expected to file their formal defense/ responses before Lira Magistrate Court for the full hearing. He now prays the court declare him as the right winner of the election but not Ogwal Geoffrey Bosco.
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