The Electoral Commission has nominated a total of seven candidates to contest in the Dokolo by-election to fill the position of the Woman Parliamentary seat that fell vacant after the death of Cecilia Atim Ogwal.
They are Adongo Janet Rose Elau Okello (NRM), Ageno Harriet (NUP), Aguti Sarah (UPC), Akullo Esther-Obot (Independent), Alwoc Austin Ogwal Rosemary (FDC), Arao Rebecca (Independent), and Lalam Grace Hanna (Independent).
Stephen Ngobi, the Dokolo district returning officer, said the campaign will run until March 19th, and polling will take place on March 21st, 2024.
A credible intelligence source has confirmed that a top-level security report submitted to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has listed NRM candidate Janet Adongo among those with worrying political influence to win this by-election.
According to the report, trouble for the NRM candidate is prominently linked to the failure by the Secretariat to neutralize the grievances of prominent party cadres, including councilors, and those who had expressed interest in the party flag.
“Imagine that after the nomination, several NRM key mobilizers, including the party Sub County chairpersons and cadres who had expressed interest in the party flag, including Beatrice Abang, aka Molly Kia, and Irene Amongi, among others, have still remained defiant and hesitant to rally support for Janet Adong Elau, yet the campaign is left for a few days,” the source revealed.
It has also been revealed that the decision by the Secretariat to withhold all the campaign finances under their armpits has also angered top local cadres, and as a result, the majority have opted to fold their hands and watch since their mobilization strategies have been ignored by the top party officials from the Secretariat.
The intelligence brief further warned that these were the same mistakes caused by the Secretariat during the Oyam North by-election that saw NRM candidates miserably trounced by the opposition.
The report has further recommended to President Museveni an urgent move to engage NRM-leaning independent candidates, including Dr. Akullo Obot, Arao Rebecca, and Dr. Lalam Grace, to step down or risk being defeated in this by-election. It also advised President Museveni to ensure that the grievances of local cadres should be resolved if NRM is to record any victory.
According to the source, this same Intelligence report also briefed the President about how some top Dokolo NRM political strategists have remained mute and unbothered after the Secretariat failed to fully engage their competencies by withholding all the resources.
The report further informed the President about how the local media houses have remained glaringly aggressive toward the NRM candidate because they have not been fully facilitated, a move that created a huge leeway for Dr. Lalam and the UPC candidate to enjoy the monopoly of the local media.
The report also revealed to the President how after failing to persuade NRM-leaning independent aspirants not to be nominated, there was a plot to have some of them arrested or kidnapped, against the initial proposal by some cadres to have these groups taken to meet the President.
President Museveni is slated to visit Dokolo district and conduct the rush-hour campaign for the NRM candidate, Janet Adong, on March 19th.
Stay tuned for Part II of this story, where we shall reveal to you why FDC candidate Dr. Alwoc won’t replace her mother in Parliament.
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