OYAM DISTRICT – A wave of jubilation and thanksgiving swept through Oyam District on Wednesday as the Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Santa Alum Ogwang, received a massive celebratory welcome following her victorious return from Kampala.
The celebrations followed the dismissal of an election petition filed against her by the NRM Chairperson for Abok Sub-county, Mr. Francis Oyuku, and two others at the Electoral Tribunal. The petitioners had sought to nullify her candidature for Oyam district woman member of parliament , but the Commission dismissed the case, upholding Alum’s candidature.
In a powerful show of solidarity, leaders and supporters from the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) and across the district mobilized, receiving the MP from Nora and escorting her in a triumphant procession to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Loro Town Council for a special thanksgiving prayer service.
The church was filled to capacity for the emotionally charged service, led by Rev. Fr. Peter Panya of Loro Catholic Parish. In his address, Fr. Panya expressed profound gratitude to Hon. Alum for her consistent support to the churches and the people of Oyam.
“A leader who helps the churches and the people, God will always be with him or her,” Fr. Panya stated. “That is why God helped Santa Alum. We, as church leaders, will always pray for our leaders, but we are not praying for leaders to steal elections.”
He issued a strong admonition to the electorate, urging them to be vigilant guardians of their democratic power. “I warn voters to protect their votes,” he emphasized.
The tone of spiritual defiance was echoed by Rev. Gilberto Opio of Amati Parish during his prayers. While welcoming the MP, he directly addressed those challenging her mandate, saying, “I cast those who are fighting Alum Santa; they should stop.” He repeated a stern declaration three times: “Those ones, even if they die, it’s good.”
Addressing the exuberant crowd, a visibly moved Hon. Santa Alum Ogwang attributed her legal victory to divine intervention. “I left my fight to God,” she declared. She then issued a firm assurance to her constituents regarding the integrity of future elections.
“I assure you, the voters, that no one will use evil to rig our election,” the MP asserted. “And no one, I repeat, no one will remove the right of the people of Oyam to vote for the leaders they want.”
The event transcended mere political celebration, morphing into a communal affirmation of support for the MP and a shared commitment to defending electoral justice, underscored by strong clerical blessings and warnings.
