OYAM, UGANDA – The Oyam District Woman Member of Parliament, Santa Alum Ogwang, has forcefully reinstated her commitment to stand with families who have lost loved ones, pushing back against what she describes as baseless criticism from her political competitors.
The MP was speaking at a campaign rally in Iceme Sub-county, where she is seeking re-election, when she addressed the accusations head-on. Her rivals have reportedly criticized her for attending burials and consoling the bereaved, labeling it as a mere campaign strategy.
“They are criticizing me for attending burials and standing with those who have lost their loved ones,” Alum told the gathered electorate. “I want to warn that this must stop. When people are grieving, they need help and comfort. There is nothing wrong with standing with them in their moment of pain.”
She firmly declared that she would not be deterred by the negative comments, stating, “Therefore, I, MP Santa Alum, will continue to stand with people who have lost their loved ones. It is the right thing to do.”
In a pointed rebuttal that drew cheers from the crowd, Alum questioned the moral standing of her critics, highlighting her deep-rooted connections to the community.
“I am married in Oyam,” she asserted. “Those who are making these comments are the ones who are not married here, yet they go and stand and attend burials at their husbands' places. Who then should comfort our people here in Oyam if not me?”
The MP’s remarks underscore a campaign that is heavily leaning on her record of community engagement and accountability. Supporters present at the rally expressed overwhelming support for her, with many stating that her visible presence during times of joy and sorrow, coupled with tangible development projects, speaks louder than the critics' accusations.
With her accountability record resonating strongly with the electorate, MP Alum appears confident as she makes her case for another term, framing her compassion not as politics, but as a core part of her duty to the people of Oyam.
