Busia's 2027 gubernatorial race is taking shape, with a new opinion poll by Bobea Research placing incumbent Governor Paul Otuoma at the top of the field.
According to the poll released on October 5, Otuoma commands 66% of stated voter support across Busia County, while his closest challenger, Arthur Osia, records 22%.
Eng. Vincent Sidai follows with 8%, while 4% of respondents are undecided.
The findings are contained in what Bobea Research describes as its Bobea Countywide Tracker, which covered all seven constituencies in Busia.
Otuoma leads in five constituencies
The poll results show Otuoma leading in five of Busia's seven constituencies — Matayos, Nambale, Butula, Funyula and Budalangi.
Bobea Research says the governor recorded more than 60% support in each of the five constituencies.
Osia, meanwhile, emerged as the leading candidate in the two Teso constituencies — Teso South and Teso North.
According to the poll, Sidai placed second in both Teso South and Teso North.
Otuoma 66%, Osia 22%, Sidai 8%
The countywide figures released by Bobea Research are:
Paul Otuoma — 66%
Arthur Osia — 22%
Vincent Sidai — 8%
Undecided — 4%
The poll therefore puts Otuoma 44 percentage points ahead of Osia in the stated preferences captured by the survey.
Bobea Research describes the findings as showing a sizeable lead for the incumbent, while the 4% undecided figure indicates that a small share of respondents had not settled on a candidate at the time of the survey.
What the poll means for the Busia race
The findings come as the 2027 Busia gubernatorial contest continues to attract political activity from several aspirants.
Osia, a Principal Administrative Secretary in the Office of the President, has publicly challenged Otuoma's record and is expected to contest the governor's seat. Sidai, who has also declared his interest, has previously claimed that political alignments could influence the race.
The latest Bobea figures, however, represent a snapshot of voter preferences captured by the poll and should not be treated as a prediction of the eventual 2027 election outcome.
For now, the poll places Otuoma firmly ahead in the countywide numbers, while Osia's strongest showing is recorded in the Teso region.
With the election still ahead, the political contest is expected to evolve as campaigns, alliances and voter priorities continue to develop.
