By Leonard Kamugisha Akida,
REGIONAL
The Omoro county by election continues to vibrate up and down each passing day with different political parties announcing their candidates who they think are capable of serving the interests of the people of Omoro and Uganda.
Latest to join the race is Dick Denis Owani, the flagbearer for the county’s popular opposition political party FDC.
Owani was endorsed and announced this Friday at the FDC Headquarters in Najjanankumbi. He becomes the third candidate to join the hotly contested race.
Omoro county seat fell vacant following the demise of speaker Jacob Oulanya which occured on March 20.
The Electoral commission announced May 26th as date for voting a candidate who will replace Oulanya for the next three years of the 5years terms in the 11th parliament.
While unveiling Owani, the FDC party president Patrick Oboi Amuriat alias POA noted that the party went through meticulous decision to endorse a suitable candidate to bear the FDC flag in the incoming election.
“The FDC will fully participate in an election in Omoro county Omoro District,” Amuriat emphasized
“Our candidate has immensely contributed to the success of many of our candidates particularly in the election of our former member Simon Tolit Akeca who was sworn in as a member of parliament, he was a key mobiliser in that election”, he added
Amuriat enthusiastically praised Owani saying; “we feel he has the best qualifications among our many ranks to carry our flag. We believe that he is going to register victory in an election to replace late Jacob Oulanya.”
Dick Dennis Owani is not a novice in the political arena of Omoro. He in 2016 contested for the same position on an independent ticket against Oulanya Jacob -NRM, Simon Tolit Akeca- FDC and others. Unfortunately, they were trounced by Oulanya.
Speaking to journalists shortly after Boeing endorsed, Owani expressed concerns about the rising poverty levels in Omoro District pledging efforts to eradicate poverty in the Northern area.
“If there are Ugandans who are not happy are the people of Omoro. Among the poorest districts in Uganda, Omoro is one of them. That is a reason I have offered myself to save the people of Omoro,” he pledged urging voters to vote for him
Owani further warned the ruling NRM for fronting a candidate (Oulanya’s son) for the people of Omoro arguing that they have a right to elect a leader of their choice to represent them in parliament.
“The idea of fronting a candidate for the people of Omoro should not this time come here”, warned Owani.
The FDC has also unveiled Mercy Ayo as their flagbearer for the Lalogi-Lakwaya sub-county LCV councillor seat.
“We unveil Ms Ayo Mercy as a District Councilor for Lalogi/Lakwaya Sub/County”, FDC announced
In addition, FDC has sent sincere warnings to the EC, NRM over possible voter bribery and intimidation throughout the election process
“We are not goingto tolerate intimidation and torture of our candidates on account of letting NRM candidate win this election! said Amuriat
The party has also commissioned a campaign team that will be mobilising voters both at national and district levels.
The structured campaign will be coordinated by Hon.OJara Okin of Chua West, as the chairperson helped by among other committee members Hon. Cecilia Ogwal Atim, Kaps Fungaroo, Hon. Gilbert Oulanya, former LoP Betty Aol Ocan, Hon. Onekalit Denis Amere, among others at the district level.
Other candidates contesting for Omoro county seat are NRM Okot Andrew Ojok (Oulanya’s son), and Simon Tolit Akeca- NUP. Other parties are yet to announce their candidates.
