The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has confirmed that its top leaders, including party president Patrick Amuriat Oboi, will appear before the Soroti Magistrate’s Court today following their arrest on Friday, March 7, during the launch of the “No Cow, No Vote” campaign in Soroti City.
According to an official announcement issued by FDC Secretary General Hon. Nathan Nandala Mafabi, the leaders are scheduled to be produced in court today..
The arrested individuals include: Hon. Patrick Amuriat Oboi – FDC President, Hon. Joan Alobo Acom – Woman MP, Soroti City, Hon. Jonathan Ebwalu – MP, Soroti West, Mr. Sam Acaitum – FDC Mobilizer, and other unnamed party activists.
The statement, shared widely on social media and by FDC’s official communication channels, reads in part: “THE FDC SECRETARY GENERAL, HON. NATHAN MAFABI INFORMS THE FDC LEADERS, SUPPORTERS, AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC THAT THE FDC PRESIDENT, HON. PATRICK AMURIAT OBOI, HON. ACOM JOAN ALOBO, HON. JONATHAN EBWALU, MR. SAM ACAITUM AND OTHERS WILL BE PRODUCED ON MONDAY 10TH MARCH 2025 AT SOROTI COURT AT 08:00AM.”
Mafabi also urged party members and supporters to turn up to show solidarity and stand surety for their leaders.
“YOU ARE ALL INVITED TO COME AND STAND SURETY FOR YOUR LEADERS. KINDLY KEEP TIME – ‘NO COW, NO VOTE’.”
The arrests took place during a protest led by opposition MPs and FDC officials calling for urgent cattle compensation for war claimants in Teso sub-region, many of whom lost their livestock during the insurgencies of the 1980s and 1990s.
The protest has since sparked a wave of political reactions and renewed national debate around the long-standing issue.
Police cited charges of unlawful assembly and public disorder, though FDC’s legal team argues that the protest was lawful and rooted in MPs’ constitutional right to consult their constituents.
Over the weekend, the FDC legal team, led by Okot Moses Junior Bitek, demanded the immediate release of the arrested leaders, criticizing police for delaying access to counsel and relatives.
“We are prepared to pursue their release through legal means. If the police have a case, let them produce them in court as the law demands. Otherwise, grant them police bond,” said Bitek on Saturday.
The “No Cow, No Vote” campaign continues to gain traction across Teso, with many residents voicing support for the opposition’s demand for full compensation of cattle lost during conflict periods.
This is a developing story.
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