Dokolo By-Election: Is the UPC regaining its old stronghold?

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.

Dokolo By-Election: Electoral Commission – Return form for Transmission of Results (21.03.2024)

Opinion: Amuriat’s lip service does him no good…

“Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat commended Dr. Alwoc as a woman of substance who embodies her mother’s values. He also urged the people of Lango to see in her a worthy successor to Cecilia Ogwal. Amuriat lambasted the NRM for promoting family rule” (Muhamadi Matovu – ‘Amuriat blasts NRM for promoting family rule as FDC unveils Cecilia Ogwal’s daughter for Dokolo Seat’ 15.02.2024).

Yes, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has a major problem with hereditary politics and inheriting of positions. That is fact in 2024. The patronage and the cronyism within the ranks of the NRM is well known and isn’t a well kept secret.

However, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Party President Patrick Oboi Amuriat shouldn’t blast that or even address this when he himself promotes them same sort of affair. The FDC is practically doing the same by letting Dr. Alwoc, the daughter of the late MP Ogwal becomes the flagbearer and the one on the ballot for the upcoming Dokolo By-Election.

If Amuriat or FDC was serious about nepotism and hereditary politics. They wouldn’t have made a spectacle of this one. Where they even want the opposition to be jointly behind Dr. Alwoc’s campaign. Where the UPC, NUP or anyone else is just supposed to bow down to greatness and continue the family affairs in the district.

Alas, that is what FDC Najjankumbi just shows that they are no difference than the ones they are supposed to oppose. They want to be the sole-candidate and have monopoly on certain offices/seats. That’s just like the NRM and now they use their trick of trying to get the kids of the late elected in office.

Amuriat should get to know one thing. If he wants to address others and wants them to change behavior. Maybe he should copy their homework and call it his own first. Maybe, just maybe… be different and lead by example. Not copy and think your brighter than the next guy.

That’s how this is looking. It is a fraud and a fake, imposter or a poser… who acts like this. Not a man of integrity or esteemed leadership qualities. No, that’s not Amuriat and he proves it again and again. Peace.

Dokolo By-Election: Hereditary politics is the tone of the nation…

“Cecilia Ogwal’s family has fronted her daughter Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal to replace her as Dokolo Woman MP. Alwoc Ogwal has been living in the UK and is not well versed with Dokolo. Her brother however says she has been briefed on the issues and is ready to stand” (News 24/7, 31.01.2024).

“Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal, first born daughter to the late Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal and Mzee Lamech Ogwal seek public opinion regarding pending projects the legislature left behind. This was during the Joint Regional council session Dokolo” (94.3 QFM Lira, 31.01.2024).

We have now seen this sort of story play out elsewhere when someone dies in office. This happened with Jacob Oulanyah and others like him. Where the sons are inheriting the offices of their fathers. Now a daughter is running to continue the legacy of her mother. There is no difference here other than the gender.

In Omoro County it was like this in 2022. Oyam North By-Election in 2023 was the same and so was Serere County By-Election in the same year. It was all inherited and family members taking over from the late Members of Parliament. This will be the fourth in this 11^th Parliament alone and this practice is going back to 2012 and when Prosvocia Alengot got elected as the MP for Usuk County in Katekwi district. She got the office and the opportunity after her father passed away. Therefore, this is now a practice dating back to this.

While that all be true, and we have seen this as common practice. It surely is questionable and a form of nepotism. As families are now fencing in offices and ensuring their control of elected roles. That’s what they are doing by fielding family members.

This is surely questionable at best, as the citizens and the constituents are tricked to vote out of compassion or based on the narrative that the representative’s family is the righteous to leadership roles. While others in the same districts and counties are left behind. Were only handpicked individuals are getting ahead of the rest. That’s what is happening, and no one is shocked that the family of the late Cecilia Ogwal wants a continuation of her role.

We are just seeing a pattern of behavior and a common practice at this point. Because, if a family member dies in office. The family itself wants to ensure someone within the family takes over from them. This is the justification and pure hereditary politics. Where blood and kin matter more than stature, experience or even character. Heck, pledges or promises, even the so-called ethos of work is gone in the wind. Since the only thing matters is who was your father or mother. Not if you are qualified or not.

This isn’t Rosemary Ogwal’s fault, but she is a part of the same problem as the others. She is picked by family members who wants their family to have this privilege. That is the obvious path here. They want to eat of the plate and ensure their family wealth through representing Dokolo like her mother. Therefore, things are more of the same and someone who inherits office.

There will be other contestants and candidates who will linger. However, if the previous by-elections are telling. Than Rosemary will be first in line and get elected. That we saw in Serere, Oyam North and Omoro. It wouldn’t be out of order, if the same happens in Dokolo. Peace.