By John Kusolo
The by-election for the Member of Parliament for Oyam County North in Oyam District has attracted four candidates who have been nominated to contest for the seat. The nominated candidates include Apio Otuko Eunice of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Okello Freddy Newton of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Okello Daniel of the National Unity Platform (NUP), and Samuel Engola Okello of the National Resistance Movement (NRM).
The nomination exercise took place over a two-day period, starting on Monday and concluding on Tuesday, June 20, 2023. According to the Electoral Commission spokesperson, Paul Bukenya, the campaigns for the by-election will commence on Thursday, June 22, and will run until July 4, 2023.
Richard Onoba Olar, the returning officer for Oyam District, presided over the nomination exercise and confirmed that the four candidates successfully complied with all provisions, ensuring a peaceful process. He declared the nomination exercise closed and announced that the harmonization of the candidates would take place the following day.
The by-election is scheduled for July 6, 2023, as announced by the Electoral Commission. The seat became vacant following the tragic death of the former MP, Col. (Ret.) Charles Okello Engola, who was shot dead by his bodyguard on May 2, 2023.
The campaigns will provide an opportunity for the nominated candidates to engage with the electorate and present their respective agendas and policies as they vie for the parliamentary seat in Oyam County North.
