The National Unity Platform Electoral Body had very busy yesterday conducting a vetting exercise for candidates to run on NUP-ticket in Oyam County North by-elections.
The Uganda Electoral Commission Chairperson Justice Byabakama Mugyenyi Simon released the program on 15/5/2023 for conducting by-elections for Oyam County North in Oyam District.
The member of parliament for Oyam County North late Hon. Charles Okello Engola was shot dead by his body guard last month of May, 2nd, 2023 in Kyanja, Wakiso.
The constitution gives a mandate to the Uganda Electoral Commission to organize a by-election to replace such a fallen or dead member of Parliament.
In preparation of the elections, Uganda being a multi-party destination, the Naitonal Unity Platform as the strongest opposition political party called for expression of interest from it’s members and more than six (6) showed up but only three (3) candidates were vetted by the NUP electron body.
We are informed that two of the aspirants are district councils that is; Mr. Odongo Samuel representing Nama T/C at Mukono district and Mr. Okello Daniel representing Oyam T/C at Oyam district. The third aspirant is Mr. Namjo a resident of Ngai sub-county in Oyam district.
The electoral body of NUP has the mandate to determine the best-fit candidate to represent them in any election and this makes the three (3) vetted candidates keep on wait for the declaration of the successful candidate to be nominated between the 19th and 20th of this month by the District Electoral Commission of Oyam District.
Our sources have revealed the two aspirants who are currently councilors at district level stand high chances of representing the party owing to their experience and a people centred support held by the duo at the home ground.
Oyam County North has 2 town councils and 6 sub-counties with 39 parishes and wards as per the Uganda Electrol Commission data, and this is thought to be one of the most stiff bye- elections, as the National Unity Platform is all set to secure victory against the NRM and other candidates who might express interest.
Our ground interactions reveal a divided ground though with more youth citing this as an opportunity to express their support towards the National Unity Platform political party headed by Mr. Kyagulanyi Ssentamu aka Bobi Wine.
The Uganda Electoral Commission has set the 6th of July as the polling date to determine who is to replace the late Minister and Member of Parliament Charles Okello Engola in the 11th Parliament of Uganda.
Our findings from Oyam County North also reveal that Hon. Krispus Charles Ayena Odongo a one-time Member of Parliament and counsel to LRA war Lord Ongwen Dominic at the International Criminal Court is to join the race as an independent candidate.
