The Oyam Central Police Station has apprehended two individuals on suspicion of engaging in voter bribery.
SP Jimmy Patrick Okema, the North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson said that the suspects were arrested on Thursday, July 6th from Otwal Sub County as they were moving around dishing money to voters with intention to influence their decision into voting for their candidate.
Okema listed the suspects as Ronald Ocen, a 31-year-old resident of Minakulu Town Council, and Robert Ogwal, a 46-year-old resident of Kut Odongo Village, Amuku Gungu Parish, Otwal Sub-County.
“Notably, Robert Ogwal also serves as the Chairperson of the Uganda Peoples’ Congress (UPC) in Otwal Sub-County,” SP Okema said.
“On the 6th of July 2023, at approximately 6:10 hours, police officers deployed to provide security in Otwal Sub-County intercepted two UPC supporters. Upon their arrest, a sum of 150,000= cash was recovered from the suspects, along with a list of individuals believed to have already received money,” Okema said.
According to Okema, the case is under investigation at the Oyam Central Police Station, pending the compilation of evidence for submission to the Residence State Attorney (RSA).
On Wednesday, July 5, 2023, security intercepted intelligence that a section of UPC legislators under the command of MP Jimmy Akena Obote were mobilising rowdy youths from across Lango sub region to disrupt the by-election in Oyam North.
MP Akena, also the UPC party President denied the claim and described it as the usual political utterance.
The Oyam North by-election is underway with four candidates including NRM Samuel Engola Junior, UPC candidate Dr. Eunice Apio, Daniel Okello of FDC and Newton Ojok of NUP battling to replace the fallen former Minister Col (RTD) Charles Okello Engola Macodwogo who was assassinated in May by the bodyguard.
