Oyam NRM Chairperson and Registrar Spend Second Day in Jail over Botched Primary

Bosco Onyik Ogwal, the Oyam District NRM Chairperson, and Jackline Adong, the District Registrar, remain in police custody for a second day following their arrest over alleged electoral malpractice during the NRM primaries in Oyam North Constituency.

The two were arrested on Sunday in Lira City after being summoned by the Regional CID Department. 

Patrick Jimmy Okema, the North Kyoga Regional Police spokesperson, said their arrest stems from accusations of vote manipulation and irregularities during the declaration of Willy Omodo as the winner of the primaries.

On Monday, the two suspects were transferred from the Regional Police Headquarters to the Oyam Central Police Station (CPS), where they remain in custody awaiting a court appearance.

Their detention follows allegations of electoral malpractice tied to the disputed NRM primaries in Oyam North Constituency, which featured six aspirants: Willy Omodo, Stephen Okello, Billie Otoo, Daniel Bala, Wilbert Otala, and Samwell Engola Okello.

A police officer at Oyam CPS confirmed that the two suspects spent the night in a cell and are expected to appear before court anytime.

Meanwhile, President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, via a statement on his official X handle, condemned those he called self-seekers who have “polluted” the NRM primaries. He said state agencies have commenced necessary anti-crime actions against individuals undermining the reputation and heritage of the NRM/NRA/FRONASA.

The President also urged Ugandans to support ongoing investigations into electoral misconduct by providing evidence of violence, voter bribery, and tampering with registers during the primaries.