Yesterday was the Dokolo By-Election where the seat of late Cecilia Ogwal was on the line. The seat that had been held by Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) for plenty of terms. It was the for the FDC to lose the Woman Member of Parliament for Dokolo district. However, with that in mind… the FDC could have played things differently, but it didn’t and that’s why they lost.
The three parties that did matter in the race was FDC, NRM and UPC. The Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) fielded Sarah Aguti, National Resistance Movement (NRM) fielded Janet Adong and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) fielded Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal. They were the main candidates and the National Unity Platform (NUP) had little to no say in this by-election. That why I am not even commenting much on it.
The Dokolo By-Election was a three way race between NRM-UPC-FDC. They were the three that matters and it showed by the polls. The NRM even with the support of high ranking officials, the state apparatus and people trying to pre-ticket ballots. They still couldn’t beat another party. The President came to promise and galvanize the people, but it didn’t work.
In the land of Lango… the UPC is resurges and it should be a sign of what to come. James Akena can now live on nostalgia of Obote. The people can live on the greatness of the late President and live in the memory of him. That seems to work as well as the promises of elevating the party. This is why the UPC is getting back old territories.
The ones looking around should see this coming. The UPC will gain representatives and positions in the north. The UPC is seemingly becoming a powerful and regional party. Akena is doing this and the UPC are able to mobilize here. The other parties aren’t able to sell the sentiment or the ideals of old, which the UPC is. That’s why the change is coming.
We should be happy that the hereditary politics isn’t winning. We have seen it win in other by-elections. There been other sons who has won elections after MPs has died in office. Therefore, for the FDC it was a safe ticket to field Rosemary, the daughter of Cecilia Ogwal. However, that wasn’t the case here.
Dokolo By-Election was marred with questionable activities and misuse of office. There was signs of rigging, but these was also shut down. That’s why there are always issues and questions remaining after the polls. However, the UPC have shown character and finesse. They are able to use its position and mobilize the public. That shows what they are capable of.
The FDC is toothless, the NUP needs another vibe and way of campaigning, as this way isn’t working. They becoming less relevant and looking mediocre. People are mocking NUP for participating and not getting a thousand votes. Alas, the NUP is in the heartland of the UPC. However, it needs to find ways to be an option and sell a candidate better. If not… it is just wasting time and not building anything substantial.
Dokolo By-Election is now over and the UPC got another MP. Peace.
MinBane 