By Sulphine Mbambu Bonabana
Independent candidate Shyam Jay Tanna has been elected Member of Parliament for Tororo Municipality after defeating incumbent Apollo Yeri Ofwono in last Thursday’s parliamentary elections.
According to results declared by the Tororo Municipality Returning Officer in the early morning hours of January 16, Tanna secured 5,781 votes, representing 43.56 percent of the total valid votes cast. Ofwono followed with 4,829 votes, accounting for 36.39 percent.
Speaking to UBC, Tanna described the campaign period as demanding but fulfilling.
“The two months of campaigning were not the easiest, and honestly there’s relief. I feel good that it is a battle I stepped into and came out with positive results. There’s a feeling of happiness but also a feeling of hope,” he said.
Other candidates in the race included Ochom Patrick Oguta, who garnered 1,562 votes (11.77 percent); Okware Edward with 442 votes (3.33 percent); Owor Valentine with 440 votes (3.32 percent); Nandala Annet Kimbowa with 206 votes (1.55 percent); and Odaka Asuman Marijan with 10 votes (0.08 percent).
A total of 13,270 valid votes were recorded, while 208 ballots were invalid, representing 1.54 percent. This brought the total number of votes cast to 13,478.
Key Concerns in Tororo Municipality
Tanna identified unemployment and low household incomes as the most pressing challenges facing residents of Tororo Municipality.
“The biggest challenge in my constituency is that people don’t have jobs yet we have opportunities. We have three cement factories, and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni recently opened a steel factory.
The problem is the lack of a bridge between unemployment and these opportunities,” he said.
He also pointed to gaps in education and health infrastructure, noting that Tororo General Hospital has long awaited elevation to a referral hospital due to limited lobbying.
“Many of the 32 villages still lack water and electricity. These issues form the foundation of my manifesto and will be my number one priorities while in office,” Tanna added.
Tanna, who is of Asian origin but born and raised in Uganda, said the election outcome reflected voters’ willingness to look beyond tribe and race.
He described Tororo Municipality as a cosmopolitan area made up of the Iteso, Jopadhola and Bantu communities, alongside Kenyans, Europeans and Ugandans of Asian descent who are registered voters.
“Some opponents questioned how an Asian could be entrusted with this parliamentary seat. But my family has lived in Uganda for over 100 years and contributed to the country. My late father, Sanjay Tanna, previously served as a Member of Parliament from 2006 to 2016,” he said.
Tanna said the results showed that issues affecting Tororo cut across tribe, skin colour and division.
“If someone can deliver, people will look beyond these differences. I believe I can serve the wanainchi of Tororo,” he added.
