By Ritah Atukwatse and Leonard Akida,
KAMPALA,
A fresh controversy has hit Bukedea District ahead of the 2026 general elections. The Electoral Commission (EC) has been accused of unlawfully deleting the names of several aspiring candidates, including Norma Susan Otai, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer for Bukedea District Woman Member of Parliament.
Recounting on the past incidents in Kayunga, Soroti East, and Omoro where state machinery allegedly manipulated election outcomes, Adepo Francis, the National Youth Chairperson of FDC, condemned the move saying the decision was a direct attack on the people’s right to choose their leaders.
“You can rig systems, but you cannot rig the spirit of the youth,” Hon. Adepo Francis stated. “The Electoral Commission has lost legitimacy and will be remembered as murderers of democracy.”
It should be noted that the EC removed three aspirants for Bukedea Woman MP seat from the voters’ register over alleged origin and residence grounds. The affected candidates are Norma Susan Otai (FDC), Alupo Mercy Marion (NUP) and Independent Hellen Odeke Akol. The EC has defended its decision, stating that Anita Among’s opponents were deleted from the register due to tribunal rulings that found them ineligible. However, the aspirants claim they were never invited to the tribunal hearings and only found out about their deletion when Among filed a case in court challenging their eligibility.
Speaking to journalists at FDC headquarters on Monday, Otai claimed that she is being politically targeted , arguing that the EC’s decision to delete her name from the voters’ register is illegal.
“I have been a registered voter from Bukedea since 2001,” she said. “The Commission deleted my name without giving me a fair hearing or making any background check.”
According to insists she meets all the qualifications for the position, as per the Parliamentary Elections Act, 2005, which requires a candidate to be a Ugandan citizen, a registered voter, and to have attained a minimum of Advanced Level education.
She accused Speaker Anita Among masterminding their deletion from the register to enable her content unopposed.
The court in Kampala set October 27, as date to deliver its ruling on this matter. But, Otai insists she will turn up for nomination slated for 22nd to 23rd October, 2025.
