OYAM, UGANDA – January 2, 2026 – A political and legal dispute in Oyam County has taken a disturbing and personal turn, moving from the courtroom to the family homestead of area Woman Member of Parliament, Santa Alum Ogwang.
The conflict began when a petition filed at the Electoral Commission Tribunal by a group of local party officials was dismissed on December 22, 2025. The petitioners, led by NRM Chairperson for Abok Sub-county Francis Oyuku and supported by colleagues, had accused MP Ogwang of forging signatures on her nomination forms, inconsistently using names, and employing sectarian language during her campaign. The tribunal found the allegations unproven and stated there was "no problem" with her names as presented during nomination.
However, the political rivalry escalated dramatically on New Year's Day. According to MP Ogwang, a team of lawyers acting for Mr. Oyuku arrived at her mother’s home seeking to serve an appeal notice related to the dismissed case.
"The timing and location are suspicious and distressing," MP Ogwang stated. "Why would they go up to my mother’s home on a national holiday? While I am strong and ready for any legal battle, this move seems designed to intimidate."
The situation grew more alarming when, according to the MP and bystanders, a man accompanying the group was seen with a gun visibly tucked in his waist. The individual reportedly fled when people in the compound began questioning his presence.
"People saw one person with a gun on his waist, and he later took off when people started questioning him," Ogwang recounted. The incident has raised tensions and shifted the focus from legal technicalities to concerns over personal safety and political intimidation.
Voters in Oyam have expressed sympathy for their MP. Many residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, criticized what they see as underhanded tactics by politicians fearing electoral defeat. "They are using other means to bring her down because they failed in court and fear losing the next election," one local voter commented.
When contacted for comment by our reporter, the lead petitioner, NRM's Francis Oyuku, initially promised to call back within twenty minutes but subsequently switched off his phone and has been unreachable since.
MP Santa Alum Ogwang maintains she will not be cowed, vowing to defend her position both legally and politically against what she terms "desperate acts" by her opponents.
The events of New Year's Day have cast a long shadow over the new year, transforming a legal dispute into a saga with deepening personal and security implications for the people of Oyam.
