Oyam, Uganda | Elections within the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party across the Lango sub-region were overshadowed by serious disruptions, as discrepancies in the voter register and late delivery of materials led to tensions and the suspension of voting in key areas, including Oyam Town Council.
The party had scheduled internal elections to fill positions of village chairpersons and the national party president.
According to the UPC Electoral Commission, voting commenced without incident in most districts across the sub-region on Thursday.
However, localized challenges, particularly in Oyam Town Council and Ngai sub-county, derailed the process.
In Oyam Town Council, voting was called off entirely due to irregularities in the voters’ register.
By mid-morning, dozens of UPC supporters had gathered outside the party offices, demanding answers after discovering that the electoral register had been split into two conflicting lists.
Attempts by party officials to explain the delay were met with frustration, as tempers flared among the crowd.
Discussions between leaders and supporters failed to resolve the dispute, prompting the UPC Secretariat to take decisive action.
UPC Secretary General Fred Ebil later confirmed that the elections in the area had been postponed.
He said the decision was based on the need to verify the register and ensure that the process upheld the party’s democratic values, adding that confusion could not be allowed to undermine the vote.
Jack Khabusi, Deputy Chairperson of the UPC Electoral Commission, reiterated that the suspension was necessary.
He said that elections would only resume after the register had been verified and a consensus reached among stakeholders, emphasizing the need for a fair and transparent process.
A similar scenario unfolded in Acut Parish, Ngai Sub-County, where tensions were reported in five of the twelve villages.
Moses Okot, the party-appointed parish election supervisor, said he had encountered hostility after an aspirant introduced an alternative register that had not been sanctioned by the UPC electoral body.
He expressed concern for his safety and stated that the situation had become increasingly volatile.
Okot explained that he had arrived with the official register but was surprised to find that another list had been introduced.
He described the situation as not only unlawful but also dangerous.
Local residents, including the elected chairperson of Akuk Village, condemned the irregularities.
They accused some aspirants of attempting to manipulate the process by introducing unauthorized registrars without the knowledge or approval of the party leadership.
Despite the turbulence in Oyam and Ngai, voting proceeded peacefully in other parts of the Lango sub-region.
In Aramita Parish, Florence Alum, the election supervisor, reported that the voting process had been free and fair.
She expressed optimism about UPC’s prospects in the national leadership race and indicated that there was widespread support for current party president Jimmy Akena.
In Iceme Town Council, local chairperson Tonny Olang stated that elections had been successfully conducted without interference.
His views were echoed by Kagwa David, the UPC Chairperson for Iceme Sub-County, who said the party had demonstrated its capacity to manage internal elections in an organized and democratic way.
He emphasized that the voting in his area had gone on smoothly.
Chrispus Ayena Odongo, a senior UPC member in Oyam District, voiced concern about the discrepancies in the voters’ register.
He questioned how the same register could exist in two different versions and stressed that this raised serious doubts about the integrity of the electoral process.
As the UPC Electoral Commission begins the process of verification, officials have urged supporters to remain patient and maintain calm.
The party leadership stated that a new date for elections in the affected areas would be communicated once the voter registers were fully verified and the process secured.
