Lira, Uganda | Queen Dorothy Amollo, a Uganda-born American investor and parliamentary candidate for Oyam South, has criticised the quality of political aspirants in the Lango subregion, warning that the region risks being represented by legislators who lack the competence to handle national issues.
Addressing journalists at Pauline Hotel in Lira City on Saturday, Amollo described the current standard of political aspirants as disastrous.
She said many of them lacked the intellectual ability to interpret laws or meaningfully contribute to parliamentary debates once elected.
Amollo, who previously declared interest in running for Presidency before withdrawing, said she plans to organise and finance a series of English-language debates across the Lango subregion to help voters make informed choices ahead of the 2026 general election.
She explained that most candidates campaign in the local language and easily win elections but later struggle to understand or participate in parliamentary proceedings due to the language barrier.
She noted that some even avoid attending sessions altogether.
According to her, the debates would help voters identify competent leaders based on their ability to communicate effectively in English, which is the language used in Parliament.
Amollo said the planned debates would focus on key issues affecting Lango and would be open to all nominated candidates.
She added that the initiative was designed to promote merit-based leadership, discourage voter bribery, and reduce corruption in the electoral process.
She explained that the debates would be conducted in English to ensure that voters could confirm whether their representatives are capable of expressing themselves at the national level.
She also urged voters to critically judge candidates who fail to attend, describing such absences as a sign of incompetence or lack of confidence.
Amollo further warned that the culture of vote buying had undermined Uganda’s democracy, saying it had turned politics into a market of influence rather than a platform for service.
Uganda’s Parliamentary Elections Act (2005) criminalises both buying and selling votes, with offenders facing up to three years in prison or a fine.
However, data from the Afrobarometer shows that one in three Ugandans reported being offered gifts, food, or money in exchange for their votes during the 2016 elections.
Amollo said voter bribery was the root of national corruption and argued that it erodes accountability, weakens institutions, and undermines good governance.
Amollo also questioned the minimum academic qualification for parliamentary aspirants, arguing that a Senior Six certificate was insufficient for someone expected to debate national policies and laws.
She said the Constitution should be amended to raise the qualification to at least a bachelor’s degree, reasoning that those with only Senior Six education possess limited exposure to national and global issues.
She maintained that having more educated legislators would improve the quality of parliamentary debate and policy-making.
Amollo is contesting to replace Gender, Labour, and Social Development Minister Betty Amongi, the incumbent MP for Oyam South.
Her rivals include Patrick Ogwang Obura (NRM), Geoffrey Owili (UPC), Dr. Anthony Obuku Ekwaro (Independent), Geoffrey Okullo (People’s Front for Freedom), Issa Otto (NUP), Bernard Awuku (Independent), among others.
Eddy Morris Ogwang, a contestant for Lira City West, welcomed the initiative, saying it would give voters an opportunity to analyse the abilities of candidates before making decisions.
He added that since parliamentary business is conducted in English, it was reasonable to use the same language in campaign debates.
Kole South MP Peter Ocen gave a brief response, saying the idea was acceptable before ending the call.
Alebtong District LC5 Chairperson David Kennedy Odongo also supported the proposal, saying parliamentary leadership depends on the ability of legislators to debate effectively and represent their people well.
He noted that electing someone who can not communicate in Parliament is a missed opportunity for the entire term.
Odongo added that some politicians have resorted to winning votes through bribery and insults instead of addressing development issues, which he said undermines the integrity of leadership.
Amollo said she will begin her tour of the Lango districts in December to mobilise civic groups, universities, and media houses to participate in the English debates.
She expressed confidence that the initiative would empower voters to reject mediocrity and restore credibility to political leadership in the region.
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