– Advertisement –
Okidi Patrick | Dokolo, (Uganda): The police in Dokolo have assured the people of Dokolo that they are on standby to ensure a peaceful by-election from the beginning up to the declaration of results.
The Dokolo District Police Commander (DPC) SP Patience Baganza confirmed to the media during an interview on Monday from her office that the security situation is still calm ahead of the by-election.
“So far, so good. As police, we have not registered cases of obstruction, interference, and all that,” said DPC SP Patience.
Patience mentioned that during the nominations on March 11, 2024, and March 12, 2024, and especially during processions, members of the public should work with the police to ensure peace in Dokolo district.
– Advertisement –
She advised aspirants to advocate for peace and coordinate with the police throughout the by-election period so that peace is maintained.
According to the DPC, about 10 candidates are still busy consulting with the electorate of Dokolo district as they prepare to be nominated and join the official one-week campaign, as earlier announced by the chairman of the EC. However, only time will tell the exact number of candidates who will make it to the end when they are fully nominated on March 11th and 12th, 2024.
Information on the ground suggests a high level of mobilization among aspirants such as Dr. Lalam Annah Grace Atine (Independent), UPC’s Aguti Sarah Nyankori, Dr. Rosemary Alwoch Ogwal (FDC), Adongo Janet Elau (NRM), Amongi Ajwika (Independent), Rabecca Arau (Independent), Molly Abang Kia (Independent), and Harriet Ageno Nenidiro (NUP), among others.
Two candidates recently stepped down in favor of NRM candidate Adongo Janet Elau at the parish hall in Dokolo town council, facilitated by the NRM secretariat led by NRM Director of Mobilization Ssennide Rosemary and Communication Director Emmanuel Dombo.
Four of the candidates have since defied the party and are running as independents, continuing to consult with voters.
Dr. Lalam Grace Annah Atine has been spending between 500,000 to 1,000,000 shillings per consultative rally in Dokolo district, promising to contest as an independent candidate until the end of the by-election without stepping down.
Dr. Lalam has garnered significant media attention for her commitment to working with media reporters, managers, and presenters at all levels, including television. Other media outlets showing interest in her include print/newspapers, online newspapers, and radio stations, among others.
Voters have taken to social media to assess the education level of candidates by carefully listening to their sentence construction and comparing their common sense and manifesto, describing some flag bearers as “losers on arrival.”
One voter in Dokolo town council, who preferred to remain anonymous, criticized some flag bearers from certain political parties as very weak because they cannot clearly articulate whether they represent a particular party or not due to uncoordinated English grammar during press briefings and other engagement meetings.
Okello, a 46-year-old resident of Dokolo sub-county, noted that some candidates are hesitant to speak to the media due to fear of making mistakes in English.
Some voters want candidates to introduce their spouses to avoid voting for unmarried individuals for an MP position.
Apio, a 32-year-old voter, stated that beauty, English proficiency, economic acumen, and agenda are also considered by the youth before voting in the by-election for the Dokolo Woman MP seat, as they seek a well-rounded individual in parliament rather than a desperate money-seeker.
Overall, the security situation seems to be under control, with the Dokolo DPC and her team on standby 24/7.
Related
– Advertisement –
