OYAM – Tension is mounting in Oyam District as senior leaders of the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) issued a stern warning that they will not allow any form of election rigging to steal the anticipated victory of their candidate, Santa Alum Ogwang, in the forthcoming by-election.
The warnings were sounded during a charged UPC campaign rally in Aleka, where party officials declared they are fully prepared to protect every vote cast for Alum Ogwang.
Chris Ongom, the former UPC Coordinator for Lango sub-region, set the tone with a direct message to opponents. “We have received credible information that some contestants, now realizing that Santa Alum is headed for victory, are already planning how to rig this election,” Ongom stated. “Let this be a clear warning: any body who will try to steal Santa Alum’s election will not succeed. It will not happen.”
Echoing this sentiment, Simon Peter Oola, the UPC Chairperson for Oyam South, emphasized the party’s readiness for vigilance. “We are not taking any chances. As UPC, we are ready to defend our votes from the polling station to the tallying center. Our candidate and all our members are on high alert,” Oola declared.
The party’s district leadership also joined the chorus. Cipriano Otine, the Oyam District UPC Secretary for Finance, strongly condemned what he called “desperate plans” to manipulate the election outcome. “The idea of rigging Santa Alum’s well-deserved victory is immoral and unacceptable. We condemn it in the strongest terms and are united to ensure the will of the people prevails,” Otine said.
Adding a cross-party dimension to the mobilization, prominent Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) figure Brian Oguttu rallied the local youth to join the cause. Oguttu called on all young people in Oyam to be active guardians of the vote. “The youth must stand up and help protect Alum’s votes. This is about the future of Oyam, beyond party colours. Do not allow anyone to undermine your voice,” he urged.
The series of declarations highlight the escalating political temperatures in Oyam district woman MP seat where the election is shaping up to be a fiercely contested battle. The UPC’s strategy appears to combine public warnings to deter malpractice with grassroots mobilization to monitor the voting process.
As the campaign enters its final stages, all eyes will be on the electoral commission and security forces to ensure a transparent and peaceful poll, amid the charged atmosphere and allegations of planned rigging.
