By Watera Atai,
SOROTI
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is crying foul after one of its youth flag bearers was allegedly nominated under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket without his knowledge or consent — a move FDC has branded as fraudulent and criminal.
Ogwang Joel, a youth from Obutet Village in Omodoi Parish, Ocokican Sub-county, Soroti District, was officially nominated on June 4th, 2025, to contest for the position of Secretary for Finance under the FDC party ticket during the ongoing Village Youth Committee elections.
However, on the morning of June 8th, Ogwang and his party were stunned to learn that he had allegedly been re-nominated under the NRM ticket for a different position — Secretary for Sports & Culture.
In an official complaint letter addressed to the Soroti District Returning Officer and dated June 8th, FDC Youth Chairperson for Soroti, Edolu Solomon, expressed outrage over what he described as a blatant political hijack.
“Before getting nominated under NRM, Ogwang was nominated under Secretary for Finance under the FDC ticket,” Edolu stated in the letter. “This new nomination under NRM was done without his consent.”
Reached for comment, Ogwang confirmed that he was not consulted or even aware of the nomination under NRM. His original nomination forms, which were duly signed by presiding officer Eledu Uvenitoke and certified by FDC leadership, clearly indicate his candidacy for Secretary for Finance.
“I was shocked to hear I had been nominated under another party and for a position I never agreed to,” Ogwang said.
The complaint has sparked a political firestorm, with the FDC National Youth Chairperson, Francis Adepo, issuing a fiery press statement condemning the development.
“The NRM has stooped to new lows,” Adepo said in his statement. “They are now fraudulently nominating youth under their party flag without their knowledge or consent!”
Adepo described the situation as a “criminal, desperate” act and “a direct attack on the political rights and dignity of Uganda’s youth.”
In his statement, Adepo demanded a full investigation into the incident and called on the Electoral Commission to cancel all such “fraudulent nominations.” He also urged youth across the country to remain vigilant, verify their nominations, and reject any form of political manipulation.
By press time, neither the NRM party leadership nor the Electoral Commission had issued a statement in response to the allegations.
