Former UPC chairperson for Oyam North laid to rest

17 August 2026, 7:18 pm

By Deograciaous Opio Okori

The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), together with mourners from across the country, gathered on Monday, 17 August 2026, to celebrate the life and legacy of the late Paul Obong Atwongo, a UPC stalwart and former chairperson for Oyam North.

Atwongo died on 8 August 2026 after battling kidney failure and prostate cancer.

He was laid to rest at his home in Bar Jai B Cell, Western Ward, Icheme Town Council, Oyam District.

The farewell ceremony attracted distinguished dignitaries from different political parties and organisations.

In his sermon, Venerable Rev Macktory Okello, Archdeacon of Icheme Archdeaconry, urged Christians to live exemplary lives that positively influence others to embrace the values of Christ.

Chris Ongom, former UPC Regional Vice Chairperson, challenged the party to pursue genuine reunification beyond symbolic gestures such as wearing party colours. He emphasised the need to rebuild genuine unity among party members.

Nelson Adea Akar, the Oyam District LC5 Chairperson, hailed Atwongo’s resilience and dedication to the UPC since 1974, describing his lifelong commitment as a sacrifice and an act of love for the party.

In his remarks, Adea lamented what he described as the dismantling of the UPC’s fundamental rights, citing the alleged mismanagement of funds from the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD) and changes in the ownership of the Milton Obote Foundation, commonly known as Uganda House, which he said had weakened the party’s sources of income.

Atwongo was remembered as a patriotic citizen who advocated for political change in the Lango Sub-region and Uganda at large.

He served as UPC chairperson for Oyam North and chief mobiliser, nurturing several young politicians who later joined the political arena.

During his leadership, he campaigned for several UPC flag bearers who later entered Parliament, including:

• Professor Newton Isaac Ojok
• Hon Ben Wacha
• Counsel Chrispas Ayena Odongo
• Minister Santa Alum Ogwang
• Dr Eunice Apio Otuko, among others.

Atwongo joined the UPC Youth League in 1974.

Born on 20 October 1947, Atwongo died on 8 August 2026 at the age of 78.

His legacy remains deeply rooted in the political history of Oyam North, the Lango Sub-region and Uganda.