Denis Hamson Obua, the outgoing Member of Parliament for Ajuri County and Government Chief Whip, has broken political tradition by responding to electoral defeat with prayer and thanksgiving, even as critics mocked him for losing his seat.
Obua lost the Ajuri County parliamentary race by a narrow margin of about 700 votes, polling 15,568 votes in a tense election that saw the Electoral Commission conduct a repeat poll in 18 polling stations.
His opponent, Fred Jalameso, who won the race with 16,336 votes, had earlier accused Obua of election malpractice—claims that heightened political pressure on one of the ruling party’s most senior figures in Parliament.
As news of his loss spread, Obua became the subject of public ridicule, with critics questioning how a sitting Government Chief Whip could fail to retain his seat.
But instead of retreating from the spotlight, Obua organized a thanksgiving prayer at his home in Ajuri, describing the loss as part of God’s will and an opportunity for reflection.
He announced that while his time in elective politics has ended for now, he will continue serving as the NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda.
Addressing the circumstances surrounding the election, Obua says he remains suspicious of what he termed “invisible hands” within and outside the party, but stopped short of naming individuals, insisting that he accepts the outcome.
Obua emphasizes that losing the election would not change his relationship with the community, saying all development projects he supported—including schools, health facilities, roads, and an ambulance—will remain for the people.
Political voices from across the divide attended the thanksgiving. Former Aruu County MP Samuel Odonga Otto describes Obua as a disciplined and exceptional leader whose loss should not be mistaken for failure.
By URN
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