In a last-minute rush, the Electoral Commission (EC) nominated six candidates for the Dokolo Parliamentary by-election, which is set to take place on March 21st. The short two-day nomination exercise was overseen by Erikwaine Ngobi, the Dokolo District Returning officer at the EC’s offices in Dokolo town.
The nominated candidates include some familiar faces in Ugandan politics, such as Dr. Rosemary Alwo Ogwal a daughter to the late Women Representative for the Dokolo constituency in Parliament, who served in Uganda’s legislature from 1996 until her passing on January 18, 2024. Dr. Rosemary is also under the forum for democratic Change Party, which her late mother also subscribed to.
Among other candidates, there is Ms. Janet Adongo Elau from the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Ms. Sarah Aguti Nyangkori from Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Dr. Esther Akullo Otoda, Dr. Grace Anna Lalam, and Ms. Harriet Ageno under the National Unity Platform (NUP).
The candidates have a whirlwind campaign period ahead of them, with only seven days allocated for them to engage with voters. The tight timeline has been a challenge for all involved, as noted by Ngobi during the nomination process. Despite the limited campaigning time, the candidates are expected to adhere to EC guidelines to ensure a peaceful and fair election process.
Rebecca Arao, one of the independent candidates, highlighted her council experience as a key qualification for representing the people of Dokolo in parliament. She also emphasised that the constitution allows her to run as an independent despite her previous affiliation with the NRM.
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Security measures are in place to prevent electoral violence, with the Dokolo District Police Commander, Patience Baganzi, assigning different officers to handle any complaints and maintain order during the election period.
The parliamentary by-election will take place alongside elections for directly elected councillors and woman councillors in selected local governments on March 21st. Prior to that, special interest group elections will be held on March 18 in four sub-county local governments. The political landscape in Dokolo will soon see a new representative, as voters prepare to cast their ballots in a race that has been marked by a short but intense campaign period.
