There is panic in the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) camp after their Soroti City East byelection candidate Moses Okia Attan claimed he was poisoned, and consequently hospitalized.
Voters in Soroti City East will go to the polls on Thursday, July 28, following the nullification of Okia’s victory. On May 24, Justices Cheborion Barishaki, Stephen Musota, and Christopher Gashirabake of the Court of Appeal agreed with a High Court judge’s ruling to nullify Okia’s victory in the 2021 Soroti East parliamentary election and order for a fresh poll.
According to results of the 2021 poll as had been released by the EC, Okia had polled 7,606 ahead of Herbert Ariko of President Yoweri Kaguta Tibuhaburwa Museveni’s ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) who garnered 7,164 votes, independent candidate Sarah Inadiu with 185 votes, James Herbert Elaju of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) with 99 votes and Arnold Emacu of Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine’s National Unity Platform (NUP) who managed to get 86 votes.
On Tuesday, June 26, opposition leader Dr Kizza Besigye and FDC leaders were joined by NUP leader Bobi Wine to campaign for Okia.
Now, ahead of tomorrow’s vote, Okia has claimed he has been poisoned.
Here are Okia’s allegations, in his own words:
I was poisoned yesterday. You may have realised I left the rally before it ended. I was given the local anti-poison and my night was tough -vomiting and diarrhoea.
By 3:30 am, I was too weak and had to be moved to a clinic where was managed and after one and a half hours, I was moved out of Soroti to a private facility for further management to avoid our enemies to access me.
I give glory to God, that I am alive and getting stronger. Thank you so much, most especially those on the ground doing everything possible to protect our victory that shall be declared tomorrow after 4 pm.
Our enemies have gotten desperate and restless, however, they have no choice but to accept the will of the people and God. I am returning to the constituency today after further checkups, examinations and treatment. I will be fighting to the end! With God on our side Isaiah 45:2.
Meanwhile, Museveni’s NRM say some FDC and NUP campaign coordinators and mobilizers have rejected the opposition and crossed to the ruling party. (Read Story Here).
