Can Aguti deliver UPC victory after 17 years drought in Dokolo?
By Daniel Ongoda and Bonny Otim Ogwal (editor@vol.co.ug)
Dokolo
The Uganda People’s Congress, one of the country’s oldest political parties on Monday unveiled Sarah Aguti Nyangkori as the flag bearer for the Dokolo Woman MP seat.
Aguti was elected by the party’s district conference attended by nearly 250 delegates drawn from the two constituencies of Dokolo North and South chaired by UPC party chairman for Dokolo Angeleous Ocen Ogwal.
She was elected unopposed after her potential competitors Christine Acen Okullu and Anna Okwir who had shown interest for the lucrative job stepped down in her favor.
Aguti a social worker and a graduate of social works and social administration from Uganda Christian University Mukono, gave her first shot to the contest in 2016, but lost to her former invincible secretary general, Atim Ogwal Cecilia Barbara who later crossed to Forum for Democratic Change.
After nearly 17 years, since the creation of Dokolo District in 2006 after being curved from Lira District, Jimmy Akena’s Uganda People’s Congress party has never won any parliamentary seat or LCV chairperson position in Dokolo District.
FDC and NRM have been the dominant parties sharing positions from councilors, district chairperson to MP.
For the March 21st by- election, Aguti will be jostling for the converted job with NRM’s Janet Adongo Elau, Dr Rosemary Alwoch Ogwal, the daughter of Cecilia Ogwal who is holding the FDC flag, Harriet Ageno the National Unity Flag bearer and the youthful Irene Ajwika Amongi who is contesting as an independent.
Aguti’s biggest strength is the rejuvenated structures of UPC in Dokolo but also the cohesive aggressiveness of the party campaign machinery led by the undoubtable influential former first son Jimmy Akena.
Her biggest undoing could be the lack of robust party structures in Dokolo and heavy resources to build a war chest against NRM and FDC.
The head of mobilization for UPC William Onyanga,while appearing on Voice of Lango’s flagship program Wimeja Tuesday morning, says the party is now looking at increasing its numerical representation in Parliament from the current 10 members.
According to Onyanga, the Jimmy Akena’s administration wants to bring back peoples authority in governance.
Speaking at the Dokolo district party conference, regional vice chairman for UPC in charge Lango, Chirs Ongom said they are working to bring about change of government, through winning many leadership seats.
Alebtong district chairman who doubles as chairperson, Lango LCV’s and mayors’ forum DK Odongo said they will work to strengthen UPC party and expressed hope of the party winning this election.
Yes she can make it