By Simon Komakech

For the second time in less than a year, sights are set on Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) ahead of Dokolo by-election.

The by-election will soon be announced following the death of Cecilia Ogwal, the woman Member of Parliament, Dokolo. Mrs. Ogwal was buried at the weekend. 

Now, ahead of the anticipated by-election, the UPC is once again the party to look forward to.

Last year, UPC beat an Orphan in Oyam North by-election. Earlier, the thought was that the NRM candidate was to get sympathy votes. It did not happen.

This is likely to happen again. It is still early though, to tell if Mrs. Ogwal’s house will front a candidate.

However, the ruling party, the National Resistance Movement (NRM), will have their votes split. They had a candidate in the 2021 Parliamentary Polls. However, a source in the position of authority says that influential figures in the district are siding with the District NRM Chairperson, Molly Kia. If Kia contests against her flagbearer, the NRM votes will be split between her and the NRM candidate. This will likely give room for the UPC to take the day. 

Already, the UPC-candidate is the stronger one. Secondly, UPC-Party President Jimmy Akena was in Dokolo a few months ago. His boots, therefore, are still fresh on the ground.

In a comment in one of the WhatsApp-groups in the Region, Akena said he will lead the hunt for votes in Dokolo himself.