Voters Left in Suspense as LC 3 Chairperson Vanishes from Office
By Spurb Ernest
Otim, who was elected as LC III Chairman of Odwarat Sub County during the 2021 general elections after defeating the incumbent Moses Okaje, vanished shortly after assuming office. Despite forming his executive committee, Otim has not been seen in the office for months, leaving his constituents in suspense.
Voters in Odwarat Sub County, Ngora District, are facing uncertainty following the mysterious disappearance of their LC III Chairperson, Samuel Otim, from office.
Otim, who was elected as LC III Chairman of Odwarat Sub County during the 2021 general elections after defeating the incumbent Moses Okaje, vanished shortly after assuming office. Despite forming his executive committee, Otim has not been seen in the office for months, leaving his constituents in suspense.
In his absence, Otim left his vice-chairperson, Lazarus Okwakol, to manage the office. Okwakol has been handling the responsibilities for over three years now, but many voters feel the absence of their elected leader is a betrayal. Ann Lucy Amoding, a voter and resident of Angod Village, expressed frustration, saying the community feels abandoned.
“We have been left like orphans,” she said. “Our leader disappeared without any communication, abusing our mandate and ridiculing the trust we placed in him.” Amoding has called on the Electoral Commission to conduct a by-election in the sub-county to fill the leadership void created by Otim’s disappearance.
John Lawrence Okedi, another voter in the area, accused Otim of deceiving the community into believing he would provide effective leadership. “He duped us into thinking he would serve us, but it seems he had other intentions,” Okedi said.
He also urged the Electoral Commission to thoroughly vet candidates before they are nominated for public office. Reports have surfaced indicating that Otim was recalled by the Uganda People’s Defense Force (UPDF), where he had previously served before entering politics.
The LC1 Chairman of Angod Village, Michael Otai, noted that the absence of a substantive LC III Chairman has made the work of LC1 chairpersons difficult. Many have been forced to take on duties outside their jurisdiction, such as handling land and family disputes.
Otai also mentioned that there are rumors Otim was arrested for abandoning his office without official leave. Otim, before joining politics, was reportedly serving as a UPDF soldier. However, our reporter was unable to verify details of his deployment, as his known contact was inaccessible.
When contacted, Ngora LCV Chairman Mike Odongo L’Asio acknowledged the absence of the LC III Chairman from office. He explained that while the district has not received official communication from Otim, he believes Otim may have gone for further studies.
“The district cannot control political leaders who abscond from duty, except by withholding salaries. I have asked Otim multiple times to return and officially hand over, but he has not responded. As it stands, the vice chairman is running the office,” Odongo said.
Attempts to reach Idd Kaahwa, the Regional Elections Officer for Teso, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls. Similarly, Francis Opolot, the Ngora Chief Administrative Officer, declined to comment when contacted.
