US investor Amollo to fund regional debates to test competence of MPs contestants in Lango

By Our Reporter

As Uganda heads toward the 2026general election, Queen Dorothy Amollo, a Uganda-born American investor and parliamentary candidate for Oyam South in Oyam District, has raised concerns about the quality of aspiring Members of Parliament from the Lango sub-region.

Amollo, who previously expressed interest in running for president before withdrawing, said many aspiring legislators lack the ability to comprehend legal matters or effectively debate issues in Parliament.

Amollo is battling with six other candidates to replace Gender Minister Betty Amongi. The contenders include the National Resistance Movement’s Patrick Ogwang Obura, the Uganda People’s Congress candidate Geoffrey Owili, Dr. Anthony Obuku Ekwaro (Independent), Geoffrey Okullo of the People’s Front for Freedom, Issa Otto of the National Unity Platform, Bernard Awuku (Independent), and Patrick Ogwang (Independent).

Speaking to journalists at Pauline Hotel in Lira City on Saturday, November 1, Amollo described the situation as a “disaster,” saying she plans to fund and organize regional debates in English to help voters make informed decisions in the upcoming election.

“From here in Lango, they campaign in the local language and get voted in, but when they go to Parliament, they cannot understand or contribute to Bills. Because of the language barrier, many even avoid attending Parliament,” she said.

“That is why I have come up with this idea—to fund debates so that voters can select the right person.”

Amollo said the initiative aims to combat voter bribery, prevent the election of incapable candidates, and curb corruption during parliamentary elections.

Under Uganda’s Parliamentary Elections Act (2005), buying and selling votes is illegal, punishable by up to three years in prison and/or a fine.

But according to Afrobarometer, a pan-African, nonpartisan survey network, one in threeUgandans reported being offered incentives such as food, gifts, or money in exchange for their votes during the 2016 elections

She argued that voter bribery fosters a broader culture of corruption that undermines economic development, good leadership, and political accountability.

Amollo plans to visit every district in the Lango sub-region, encouraging all nominated candidates to participate in the English-language debates.

“It will be conducted in English because people need to be sure that those representing them in Parliament can express themselves in the language used at the national level,” she added.

Amollo said people are no longer willing to settle for mediocrity and that voters should judge candidates who fail to attend the debates.

She also raised concerns over the minimum academic qualification required for parliamentary candidates, arguing that the current requirement of a Senior Six certificate is too low.

“The minimum requirement that the Constitution has set is too low. A person who has completed Senior Six has only attained specific subject knowledge, not a broader understanding of national issues. The law should be amended so that the qualification is raised to at least a bachelor’s degree,” she said.

Contestants speak on arrangement

Eddy Morris Ogwang, a contestant for Lira City West, said it is a fantastic arrangement because it gives voters an opportunity to analyze the candidates and make an informed decision.

He said he had the opportunity to share a lot with her and that such debates help to generate interest and consent from the communities.

Ogwang added that since parliamentary debates are conducted in English, there is no reason to fear or discourage the use of English in such forums.

MP Peter Ocen of Kole South neither reaffirmed nor declined the matter; he only said, “It is okay,” before hanging up.

Alebtong LC5 Chairperson, David Kennedy Odongo, said that at the parliamentary level, leadership is about debate and the ability of a person to effectively present and push critical issues in Parliament.

“To me, it is very healthy, because once people elect someone who cannot speak in Parliament, that becomes a lost opportunity for that entire term,” he said.

Odongo added that some candidates win elections through bribery and by hurling insults, rather than focusing on issues that matter to the people.