Police at North Kyoga Regional Police Headquarters are holding Bosco Onyik Ogwal, the NRM District Chairman for Oyam, and Jackline Adong, the District Registrar, in connection with alleged electoral malpractice during the recent NRM primary elections in Oyam North Constituency.
The two were arrested on Sunday in Lira City after being summoned by the Regional CID Department over the disputed declaration of Willy Omodo as winner of the NRM primaries — a decision that has been rejected by all four rival aspirants.
The Oyam North race has drawn five contenders: Willy Omodo, Stephen Okello, Billie Otoo, Daniel Bala, and Wilbert Otala.
Multiple attempts to reach Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson, for confirmation went unanswered. However, a close family member of Onyik, who requested anonymity, confirmed the arrest but declined to provide further details.
“Yes, the rumours are true, but I’m not able to disclose that right now,” the source said.
Samwell Engola Okello, one of the candidates, accused the registrar of manipulating vote tallies in favor of Omodo. He confirmed he had lodged a complaint and had been summoned to make a statement alongside the accused.
Billie Otoo, the NRM Publicity Secretary for Oyam District and a fellow contestant, confirmed that investigations into the conduct of the primary elections are underway.
Meanwhile, Douglas Daniel Munu, General Secretary of the Oyam District NRM District Executive Committee (DEC), said he had only heard of the arrests as unconfirmed reports and was awaiting official communication from the police.
Museveni Orders Police CID to Apprehend Individuals involved
On Sunday, President Yoweri Museveni strongly condemned irregularities reported the party primaries, warning of tough action against perpetrators.
In a detailed post-election message to NRM members, Museveni expressed concern over what he described as “unpatriotic actors” who allegedly tampered with the party’s democratic process through result manipulation, register tampering, voter bribery, and violence.
“These are politically and ideologically wrong and must be condemned by all lovers of the NRM and Uganda,” Museveni said.
Museveni ordered the prosecution of individuals involved in these electoral malpractices, beginning with those who tampered with results in full view of the public. He warned that the entire village knew who voted for whom during the lining-up process, making result-alteration both obvious and traceable. “It is not only the registrar that knows the results village by village. If you altered the results, we are coming for you,” he warned.
Indeed, on the very day, Plus News learnt from an impeccable source stone police CID that the President had given them express orders to arrest all the suspects involved in election malpractices.
“We are implementing the President’s directives. We have already arrested five (5) registras and we are coming for,” the source said.
But, can CID deliver to the dot?
The current leadership of the Criminal Investigations Directorate (CID) of the Uganda Police Force, led by AIGP Tom Magambo, has proven to be incorruptible and uncompromising in its pursuit of justice.
Indeed, with with unwavering integrity, the CID has demonstrated a firm commitment to the rule of law especially investigating complicated crimes that also includehigh profile figures, which has earned it public trust and confidence.
As President Yoweri Museveni directs a crackdown on electoral malpractice within the NRM primaries, Ugandans are assured that the CID will act decisively and impartially.
“With Magambo at the helm of CID, no criminal, regardless of political affiliation or rank, will be shielded,” said an opposition figure on Sunday.
The nation stands confident that the CID will deliver justice and uphold the credibility of the electoral process.