Dokolo, (UG):- The Police in North Kyoga Region have confirmed the arrest of Oyam Woman MP, Ms Hon Santa Alum Ogwang on allegations of bribing voters during the Dokolo District Woman MP By-Election on Thursday afternoon.
Ms Alum who is also UPC Parliamentary Whip was arrested together with two other men from Rego-Rego Polling Station in Amwoma Sub County after security officers found them in possession of suspicious money reportedly used to lure voters into voting for a candidate in their favour.
“Yes we have Alum and the co-accused with us and they are being interrogated by the police,” North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, SP Jimmy Patrick Okema told DailyExpress confirming the development.
However, UPC’s Secretary General, Mr Fred Ebil Ebil denied the allegations of bribing voters saying Ms Alum was delivering money to facilitate lunch for UPC candidate’s agents in Adok Sub-county when security arrested her and her assistants.
“She was arrested over unfounded allegations because they know that we are going to win this by-election by all means,” Mr Ebil said in a brief phone conversation.
Meanwhile, in Kangai Sub County, Police also arrested Patrick Obura and Malaika Onyanga after they were found with an empty voting ballot in their White Carib car number UBD 614W.
In Bata Dispensary Ward, Bata town council, one Evaline Okello was apprehended by locals and handed to police after she was spotted giving 2000 shillings each to eight voters at the polling station.
Earlier, SP Okema, said police alertness was in full gear as security manned the different areas within the district to ensure a peaceful election day.
The Dokolo District Woman MP Seat fell vacant following the death of the former MP. Cecilia Ogwal on 18th Jan 2024.
A total of 95,683 voters comprising 49,872 (52.12%) females and 45,811 (47.88%) males registered for this by-election at all the 173 polling stations in 14 sub-counties.
Six candidates are contesting in this by-election. They include Janet Adongo Elau of the NRM party, Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal of the FDC party, Sara Aguti of the UPC party and Harriet Ageno of NUP. Others are Rebecca Arao and Easter Akullo Obot, all independent.
By press time on Thursday evening, vote counting at polling stations is underway to come up with the winner but preliminary results coming from different polling stations put UPC’s Sara Aguti in the early lead.
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