ICEME: Aungo Parish PDM SACCO polls collapse into chaos again

1 July 2026, 10:14 am

Eman Yonah Oruk

Confusion and violence have once again marred the Parish Development Model (PDM) Sacco elections in Aungo Parish, Iceme Sub-county.

The second attempt to elect a chairperson, held on June 29, 2026, collapsed into chaos, just like the first poll on June 19.

In the latest election, only two contestants — Oryem Solomon and Polly Engola — faced off.

Eyewitnesses reported that fighting broke out between rival groups after a man allegedly hired from Iceme Town Council to vote in Iceme Sub-county was beaten unconscious. He is currently receiving treatment at a nearby clinic.

Tonny Okello, a resident of Dele Trading Centre, said the confusion began when the parish chief of Omiri Parish, who was overseeing the election, declared the results a draw. Four people who had been stopped in the queue reacted angrily, sparking violence.

Another resident, William John Ogena, who attended both elections, said the first confusion arose when one contestant attempted to transfer his votes to another, an act prohibited by law. He criticised residents for indiscipline and urged government to adopt secret ballots to prevent the commercialisation of elections. He also alleged that people from Aboke in Kole District and Iceme Town Council were hired to vote in Iceme Sub-county.

Nicholas Opio Awelo, the LCIII Chairperson of Iceme Sub-county, said he would investigate the root cause of the chaos, noting that he did not yet have clear information.

Efforts to obtain comments from the parish chief of Aungo Parish and the Oyam District Commercial Officer were unsuccessful by press time.