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BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: SUNDAY, JANUARY 18, 2026
Revealing in victory of the January 15, 2026 polls after declaration by Osman Ezale the Arua City Returning Officer on Friday, Eng William Tiyo Oda of Ayivu East Constituency and Fiona Onzima of Ayivu West have pledged to work together in unity to ensure that they remain guardians of the development interest of Arua City.
Both victors were sponsored by the National Resistance Movement after winning their respective party primary elections.
Eng William Tiyo has taken the mantle of Ayivu East Constituency with 16,652 votes, beating Geoffrey Feta an independent candidate to second place with 13,240, Godfrey Anguyo of Forum for Democratic Change had 722 votes and Ayikobua Isaac of the National Unity Platform polled 911.
While in Ayivu West Constituency, Fiona Onzima got 11,988 votes, John Lematia got 6,915, Bernard Atiku polled 5,460 and Bernard Jibua of National Unity Platform had 391 as Constant Adriko, an independent candidate polled 2,745 and Christopher Afayoa of Democratic Party scored 175.
Mrs Onzima dedicated her win to God who she said kept her strong though the character assassinations, intimidation and malign propaganda spread against her in the course of the tough campaigns.
She thanked president Yoweri Museveni for supporting flag bearers which strengthened her campaign processes and congratulated her Ayivu East counterpart Eng Tiyo for winning his race.
Mrs Fiona said they will work together to fulfill their manifesto pledges to the people in education, health, roads, water and economic empowerment.
“In this victory, I notice three things – the love of the people which enabled me to win without splashing a lot of money like those who lost, second was the power of God to do what seem impossible in the eyes of man and finally the legacy of my grandfather, the late Gaspero Oda who was a pioneer Legislator in Uganda that influenced people to vote for me,” declared Eng Tiyo.
Speaking at a thanks giving prayers a day after the resounding victory, Rev James Ombanya, a prominent Anglican cleric repeated Eng Tiyo’s view point that in his win, it is Almighty God that has won in Ayivu East Constituency.
However, Ombanya cautioned him not to take revenge against those who assassinated his religious character but rather leave that war to God to fight.
“Do not take revenge, concentrate on your work and do not come back in 2031 begging people for votes. Never! coming back pleading for people to vote for you means you did nothing,” said Ombanya.
Without wasting time, Rev Ombanya told Tiyo to gaze towards Koboko and Arua district for ideal examples of Members of Parliament to emulate.
“In Koboko, Charles Ayume did his best and his work campaigned for him, in Arua district Lillian Paparu did very well that she returned unopposed. Therefore, people will give support to you based on your performance,” he stressed.
Rev Ombanya added: “Those you saw in the campaigns who were shouting a lot were like someone for whom you put a ladder to climb a tall mango trees but after climbing, he kicks down the ladder and greedily consumes the mango only throwing down the husk and the seeds for five years. Don’t be like that, work smart, perform your roles and maintain service to the people. If you do that, in 2031 your second term will be a sure deal.”
The reverend emphasized that Eng Tiyo should work with all MPs from West Nile regardless of party and never involve in querrels with other peers.
“We want you to be the example others should follow,” he asserted and assuring that the Lord that delivered the electoral victory will continue to fight on behalf of Eng Tiyo, Rev Ombanya prayed and also asked the people to pray unceasingly until God grants Eng Tiyo an appointment in a ministerial position.
Still he had one last warning for Eng Tiyo. “Never go to parliament to look for brown women your dark matrimonial spouse has been praying day and night to ensure you win and win honorably,” he said.
Re Ombanya counselled the MP elect to share the little benefits he gets from Parliament with his wife and never emulate politicians who have travelled all the way from West Nile to the Parliament in Kampala only to marry concubines.
Accordingly, Eng Tiyo pledged to do his best to effectively represent the people in Parliament to articulate issues on their behalf, legislate and ensure fair appropriation of the budget and carry oversight to ensure that development takes place as planned.
He said he will identify all bottlenecks concerning roads in Ayivu East and engage the Arua City to align their priorities to address the urgent need to improve road connectivity and construct bridges.
