Queen Dorothy Amolo demands UGX 104m over Oyam disqualification

26 May 2025, 8:11 pm

By Eman Yonah Oruk

Queen Dorothy Amolo, a prominent NRM member and former Oyam North parliamentary candidate, has issued a formal notice of intention to sue the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and three of its top officials following her abrupt disqualification from the Oyam District Chairperson race on May 23, 2025.

The notice, dated May 26, 2025, is addressed to Ms. Jackoline Adong (NRM Oyam District Registrar), the NRM Secretary General, and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni in his capacity as the party’s National Chairperson.

Amolo asserts that her removal from the race was arbitrary, unlawful, and executed without due process, despite fulfilling all nomination requirements and being officially confirmed as a candidate.

She claims her candidacy was verified by both the Village Registrar of Oboloyibe A and the Subcounty Registrar of Acaba, and that she duly paid the nomination fees into the NRM account on May 20, 2025.

The payment slip was received and acknowledged by Ms. Adong, who proceeded to nominate her.

She states that her nomination was widely acknowledged, her campaign was conducted openly, and she faced no objections until the morning of the election.

However, at the time of voting, Adong abruptly disqualified her, citing an unsubstantiated claim that she was not a registered party member.

Amolo insists she was never informed of any complaint, was denied a hearing, and was barred from responding—actions she says violate natural justice and internal party procedures.

She further accuses Ms. Adong of openly campaigning for her rival, Onyik Bosco Ogwal, on the eve of the election at Minakulu Trading Centre, an act she describes as a breach of neutrality and electoral ethics.

She alleges that her disqualification was influenced by political interference and possibly bribery from rival agents.

According to the notice, over 375 out of 480 eligible voters had already gathered to support Amolo by 11:00 AM on election day, prompting panic among her opponents.

She claims the disqualification was orchestrated to prevent her victory.

Amolo estimates she incurred campaign-related expenses totaling UGX 104,470,000.

She blames both the party and its top leadership for the registrar’s conduct, citing institutional failure, lack of oversight, and negligence.

She also draws parallels to the 2023 Oyam North parliamentary by-election, during which she was allegedly blocked in favor of Engola Junior just hours before polls.

Amolo outlines a series of intended legal claims, including unlawful administrative action, violation of constitutional and political rights, breach of internal party rules, electoral fraud, defamation, denial of a fair hearing, negligent supervision, and unjust enrichment.

She argues that the NRM’s failure to fix known irregularities in its register—admitted publicly by both President Museveni and Electoral Commission Chairperson Dr. Tanga Odoi—contributed to her exclusion.

She is demanding:

1. Cancellation of the May 23 election results.

2. Fresh elections with her reinstated as a candidate.

3. UGX 104,470,000 in damages.

4. Removal of Ms. Jackoline Adong as NRM Registrar for Oyam.

5. Reinstatement of her party membership, if found tampered with.

Amolo has given the party seven days to respond or take corrective action, warning that she will proceed to file suit in the High Court of Uganda if her demands are not met.