Foreign Affairs Minister and Member of Parliament for Orungo County, Abubaker Jeje Odongo, has issued a stern warning to individuals he says are planning to rig elections in Orungo County, Amuria District, ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Speaking to the media on Friday during Christmas engagements in Orungo, Odongo, a former army commnder, said any attempt to manipulate the electoral process would be treated as a serious crime, urging those involved to “write their will in advance.”
He described election rigging as an act that deprives entire communities of their constitutional rights, warning that it would provoke strong public anger.
Gen Odongo first commended residents of Teso sub-region, particularly those in Orungo, for maintaining peace during the Christmas festivities, saying he had not received any reports of violence or disorder.
“I want to thank the people of Orungo for peaceful Christmas celebrations. As I moved around, there was joy, music and harmony, and no adverse incidents were reported,” Odongo said, while urging similar calm as Ugandans usher in the New Year.
Turning to the political outlook, the veteran legislator said the 2026 elections would be decisive for the country, calling on voters to act responsibly when choosing leaders at all levels, especially Members of Parliament.
Gen Odongo said the forthcoming 12th Parliament is expected to play a key role in debates around political transition, warning that regions which fail to elect experienced leaders risk being marginalised.
“Other parts of the country are deliberately selecting senior, tested leaders. We in Teso must decide whether we want to be active participants in these discussions or mere spectators,” he said.
Addressing concerns over electoral integrity, Odongo said he had received reports of fears and allegations of possible election rigging in parts of Orungo and the wider Teso sub-region, which he strongly condemned.
“A person who steals a chicken affects one individual, but one who rigs elections steals the rights of many people. That is a far worse crime,” Odongo said.
He urged voters to demand peaceful, free and fair elections and to follow Electoral Commission guidelines during polling. Odongo added that voters whose names may not appear on the register still have a constitutional right to seek guidance on how and where to vote.
He concluded by calling for unity, peace and justice as Uganda heads toward the 2026 elections, saying he was confident that the people of Teso would uphold democratic values.
