Attan Moses Okia, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate for the Soroti City East by-election, has been hospitalized after allegedly being poisoned.
FDC has posted the news on social media with the former on the hospital bed.
“I was poisoned yesterday. You may have realized I left the rally before it ended. I was given the local anti-poison and my night was tough-vomiting and diarrhea.
By 3:30 am, I was too weak and had to be moved to a clinic where I was managed, and after one and a half hours, I was moved out of Soroti to a private facility for further management to avoid our enemies accessing me,” reads the post in part.
It adds, “Our enemies have gotten desperate and restless. However, they have no choice but to accept the will of the people and God. I am returning to the constituency today after further checkups, examinations, and treatment. I will be fighting to the end! With God on our side.”
The by-election is slated for tomorrow and the stiff competition is expected to be between Attan and the ruling NRM’s Herbert Ariko.
On May 24, the Court of Appeal judges, Cheborion Barishaki, Stephen Musota, and Christopher Gashirabake, upheld the High Court judgment nullifying the election of Moses Attan and ordered the Electoral Commission to conduct by-elections.
During the January 2021 polls, Attan won the election after obtaining 7,606 votes, Ariko gathered 7,164 votes, Jimmy Ekemu (NRM) got 397 votes, Sarah Inadiu (IND) got 185, James Herbert Elaju (UPC) 99 votes, and Arnold Emachu (NUP) 86 votes.