Six candidates have been duly nominated by the Electoral Commission to tussle it out in the byelection for the Dokolo district woman Member of Parliament scheduled for March 21, 2024.

The candidates nominated Monday, March 11, include National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) Janet Rose Adongo Elau, Uganda People’s Congress’ (UPC) Sarah Aguti Nyangkori, Forum for Democratic Change’s (FDC) Dr Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal, and Harriet Ageno of the National Unity Platform.

NRM candidate Adongo Elau Janet Rose Okello displays her nomination papers. Photo by Hudson Apunyo

Candidates nominated as independents are Dr Grace Hannah Lalam and Dr Esther Akullo Obot, whose nomination was delayed for nearly three hours due to some missing requirements in her file.

Movement on the streets of Dokolo town was paralysed as hundreds flocked to show support for their candidates, especially from UPC, FDC and NRM.

National Unity Platform candidate Harriet Ageno chats with a Police officer at the EC offices where nominations were conducted. Photo by Hudson Apunyo

The first day of nominations ended without incident according to Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kioga regional Police spokesperson.

Candidates speak out

Adongo emphasised the need to improve health service delivery by asking the government to upgrade the Dokolo health unit to a district hospital.

Dr Alwoc, daughter of the seat’s previous occupant the late Cecilia Ogwal, said her mother sailed through not because she was an FDC stalwart, but because of character and working for the communities in Dokolo. 

Independent candidate Dr Grace Hanna Lalam (2nd right) with supporters at the EC office. Photo by Hudson Apunyo

Aguti called upon the people of Dokolo to rally behind her if they wanted improvement in health service delivery, agriculture and quality education. 

Dr Akullo said her coming will change the trajectory of elections in Dokolo since there is a lot of anxiety among the population.

Independent candidate Dr Lalam said the nomination process was hard for her and claimed she endured a lot of intimidation, especially from the NRM party she was leaning toward before.

Independent candidate Dr Esther Akullu Obot speaks to the media following her nomination. Photo by Hudson Apunyo

The returning officer Steven Erikwaine Ngobi said the exercise went on smoothly and will end tomorrow, Tuesday at 5 pm.

He said in total, seven people had picked nomination papers.