Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Uganda Monitor
Published on 2024-03-21 15:53:01
Two female Members of Parliament from the opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party have been detained in Dokolo District on accusations of possessing suspicious money. Ms Santa Alum Ogwang, the Oyam District Woman MP, and Ms Kenny Auma, the Kwania Woman MP, were taken into custody on March 21 as voters in Dokolo were participating in the election of their District Woman Representative in Parliament. The North Kyoga Regional Police Spokesperson, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, verified that Ms Alum was apprehended along with two others from Adok Sub-county, while the Kwania Woman MP was arrested from Adeknino Sub-county.
The suspects are currently being questioned by the police after being discovered in possession of the suspicious money. This development occurs in the midst of allegations of voter bribery in the fiercely contested race to succeed Ms Cecilia Atim Ogwal, who passed away on January 18. Fred Ebil Ebil, the Secretary General of UPC, stated that Ms Alum was arrested while providing money to cover lunch expenses for UPC candidate agents in Adok Sub-county, which was the late Ogwal’s birthplace.
In a phone conversation, Ebil emphasized that she was apprehended based on unsubstantiated claims, as the authorities are aware that they are poised to emerge victorious in the upcoming by-election at any cost. The arrests of these two female MPs highlight the intense political environment in Dokolo District and raise concerns about the integrity of the electoral process. The accusations of voter bribery and the presence of suspicious money further compound the already contentious nature of the race to fill the vacant parliamentary seat.
The UPC party has been vocal in asserting its innocence and condemning the arrests as a ploy to undermine their chances of winning the election. The detention of these MPs underscores the challenges and tensions inherent in the electoral process in Uganda, where allegations of corruption and malpractice are not uncommon. As the investigation into the possession of suspicious money continues, the political landscape in Dokolo District remains fraught with uncertainty and speculation.
These developments serve as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in the electoral process, as well as the need for all parties involved to adhere to ethical standards and uphold the principles of democracy. The fate of Ms Alum and Ms Auma, as well as the outcome of the by-election in Dokolo District, will be closely watched and scrutinized by both domestic and international observers. The allegations of voter bribery and the arrests of the two female MPs underscore the need for a fair and free electoral process that upholds the democratic values of Uganda.
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