A video of Tony Olanya Olenge posted on TikTok by a journalist Arnest Tumwesige (Jb Amooti) claimed that Olanya Olenge, one of the parliamentary candidates for Aruu North Constituency in Pader District has been verified.
Click here to watch.
Olanya was running on an independent ticket. According to the TikTok video, Olanya told local people during his campaign that he is the overseer and in charge of oil matters at Ker Kwaro Acholi, having been appointed by the Paramount Chief of Acholi, His Royal Highness David Onen Acana II.
But this is misleading and not a fact.
Olanya Olenge graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biosystems Engineering from Gulu University during the 17th graduation ceremony in 2022.
Academically, he qualifies as an engineer, since Biosystems Engineering is an engineering discipline.
Verification
Speaking to tndNews, Uganda, Ker Kwaro Acholi spokesperson, Okello Okuna, stated that Olanya is the Officer in Charge of Research and Documentation at Ker Kwaro Acholi, following his appointment by the Paramount Chief of Acholi, Rwot David Onen Acana II, but not entirely in charge of the oil project.
He further clarified that Hon. Walter Jokene is the Deputy Prime Minister in charge of Natural Resources at Ker Kwaro Acholi.
In 2025, Jokene led a delegation of Acholi chiefs to the Tilenga Project area and the Central Processing Unit in Nwoya and Buliisa districts to assess progress on oil activities done by Total Exploration and Production.
These findings indicate that Olanya Olenge serves as a researcher at Ker Kwaro Acholi and does not hold any ministerial position related to oil, contrary to the claims.
Verdict
Misleading.
Olanya Olenge has been presenting himself to the public and to some Members of Parliament like Tony Awany (MP for Nwoya County) as an oil overseer, a claim that is not supported by verified information.
His official role at Ker Kwaro Acholi is limited to research and documentation, not oversight of oil or natural resource management.
This fact-check was produced by Rosemary Anena with support from the Debunk Media Initiative and BBC Media Action.
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