The territorial Police in Oyam on Thursday arrested two men, including the opposition UPC party's chairperson for Otwal sub-county, over allegations of voter bribery.

UPC local leader Robert Ogwal, 46, was detained alongside 31-year-old Ronald Ocen at Oyam Central Police Station.

The two were arrested on the morning of the Oyam North byelection after allegedly being found distributing money to voters.

Voters lined up for voting at Agoa upper centre, Eastern ward in Oyam town council (Photo by Solomon Okabo)

Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Police spokesperson, said security personnel arrested the suspects just after 6am in Otwal sub-county.

He said they were found with cash amounting to sh150,000 and a list believed to be of beneficiaries.

Police are investigating the matter at Oyam Central Police Station, pending compilation of their files for submission to the resident state attorney for sanction.

Dr Eunice Apio Otuko UPC flag bearer casts her vote at Beiwe polling station in Amukogungu parish, Otwal Sub County. (Photo by Solomon Okabo)

Meanwhile, voters of Oyam North in the northern district of Oyam are electing their new representative in Parliament, doing so at the 167 polling stations in the constituency.

Whoever will emerge winner in Thursday's byelection will replace the late Charles Okello Engola, who died two months ago.

Dr Eunice Apio Otuko UPC flag bearer casting her vote (Photo by Solomon Okabo)

Engola, who was also the labour state minister, was shot dead by his bodyguard at his residence in Kyanja, Kampala on May 2.

His son, Samuel Engola Junior, is one of the four people in the race to succeed him in Parliament.

Engola Junior is vying for the seat on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket.

His challengers are Dr Eunice Apio Otuko of the Uganda People's congress (UPC), Freddy Newton Okello of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Daniel Okello of the National Unity Platform (NUP).