No Turning Back

*Patrick Ocan Ditches UPC, Declares Independent Bid for Apac Municipality Seat*

Apac Municipality Member of Parliament, Patrick Ocan, has announced his decision to contest as an independent candidate in the upcoming elections, marking a significant shift in his political career. Ocan made this revelation during a three-day training for widows organized by the Children of the Nation, an NGO, at St. Thomas Church of Uganda in Apac.

Ocan’s decision comes after he was removed from the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party, where he had represented Apac Municipality since 2018. The removal stemmed from allegations of supporting the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and disrespect towards the party leadership. David Ojok Jullu, UPC’s Apac district chairperson, recently accused Ocan of sabotaging party programs, claims that Ocan vehemently denies.

The Controversy Surrounding Ocan’s UPC Exit

According to Ocan, the allegations against him are baseless and part of a plot to pave the way for Hon. Maxwell Akora to take over his seat. However, Ocan remains confident that he still enjoys the people’s love and support.

In a show of solidarity, Ocan urged voters to support Betty Engola, the woman MP candidate for Apac. This move demonstrates Ocan’s willingness to put party differences aside and focus on promoting capable leadership.

Ocan’s Political Background

A former UPC stalwart, Ocan was elected to represent Apac Municipality in 2018, scoring 6,597 votes. However, his parliamentary tenure was cut short in 2019 when the Constitutional Court nullified his election, along with five other legislators, citing the illegality of the constituencies created after the 2016 elections.

With his independent bid, Ocan aims to leverage his popularity and experience to regain the trust of Apac Municipality voters. The upcoming election will be a crucial test of his support base and ability to deliver on his promises.