Lira, June 13, 2023: The opposition party, National Unity Platform (NUP) on Saturday, June 10, 2023, unveiled its candidate for the forthcoming Oyam North constituency by-election.
Oyam North MP seat fell vacant after the sudden demise of the then State Minister for Labour, Col. Rtd. Charles Okello Engola Macodwogo.
Engola was gunned down by his bodyguard, Private Wilson Sabiti on May 2, 2023, at his residence in Kyanja, a Kampala suburb.
At least 10 people have shown interest to replace him in the 11th Parliament and so far, NUP and UPC have unveiled their official flag bearers.
Dr Lina Zedriga Waru, the vice president of NUP unveiled Daniel Okello as the party candidate.
According to Dr Zedriga, three aspirants: John Nam, Samuel Odongo and Daniel Okello were in the race for the party flag. However, she said the party leadership finally mounted conclusions on Daniel Okello’s candidature.
NUP Secretary-General David Lewis Rubongoya called on the flag bearer, Okello to be courageous, bold and firm for his electorates.
“You saw the regime people already moving around and intimidating people, meaning that there shall be a lot of intimidation during the election process. You must therefore stand firm for your people,” he added.
He equally cautioned Okello to keep a big distance from bribes and other forms of corruption since all this can discredit his leadership potential.
Also read: NUP ‘sure of victory’ in Oyam North MP by-election
The unveiled candidate, Daniel Okello has pledged to work with everyone regardless of political party, ethnic group or gender to bring about development in Oyam North.
He said the above will be addressed through different poverty eradication initiatives to increase household incomes.
Meanwhile, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has 10 aspirants including Amb. Julius Peter Moto, Samuel Engola Junior, Queen Dorothy Amolo, and Willy Omodo Omodo.
Others are Daniel Obaro, Billie Otto, Tonny Adonyo, Henry Arinaitwe and Augustine Obangakene.
Opposition candidates in this race include Dr Eunice Apio of Uganda People’s Congress and Newton Freddy Okello of Forum for Democratic Change.
According to the roadmap unveiled by the Uganda electoral commission, the nomination is scheduled for June 19, while polling day stands on July 6, 2023.