DOKOLO – A heated political battle over the election of the Speaker for Gombola Sub-county has been stopped dead in its tracks, after a last-minute court injunction plunged the district council into fresh turmoil.
The election, scheduled for Day 5 of this month, has been suspended following a petition filed by one Julius Peter Odur, a local JP, who argued that the entire process was marred by irregularities and an unresolved dispute over valid votes.
Fistfight Breaks Out Among Councilors
Tensions exploded during preliminary meetings, with witnesses confirming that a physical fight broke out between two rival councilors vying for the Speaker’s chair. The clash, described by officials as “open warfare” inside the council hall, involved Morish Ogwal (NRM) and Apollo Susan (Independent leaning NRM).
Reports indicate that the two men traded blows after failing to agree on voting procedures. Each candidate was reportedly entitled to nine votes per electoral area, but disagreements over a five-minute window to table motions escalated into a shouting match—and then fists.
At the center of the storm is Morish Ogwal, who had served as Gombola Sub-county Speaker for the past five years. Ogwal was unceremoniously removed from office just days ago by Acon Geofry Weja, a local party official, who allegedly locked him out of his own office.
Odur’s court application accuses Ogwal’s ouster of being illegal, claiming that the process violated standing orders. “There is no clear successor,” Odur told the court. “The election is being rushed without a proper quorum or lawful basis.”
Deeper cracks have emerged within the NRM party in the district. Tom Ocwa, the NRM chairperson for Gombola Parish, admitted to the court that the conflict is real, but claimed he would “run away like a difficult object” rather than preside over a flawed process.
More embarrassingly, Apollo Susan—who is now running as an independent—was reportedly fielded by a faction of NRM members who turned against Ogwal. Party insiders confirmed that Susan “does not have a genuine party card,” raising questions about his legitimacy as a candidate.
Denish Orit, the acting chief administrative officer of Dokolo District, had convened a special council meeting today to push through the election. However, with the court order now in effect, that meeting has been adjourned indefinitely.
District officials say they will now seek a new date to resolve the speakership dispute, but acknowledge that any further moves will require clearing the legal hurdles first.
“We have received the court directive,” Orit said. “Due process must be followed. No election will take place until the matter is fully heard.”
For now, the Sub-county Speaker’s chair remains empty. The council is effectively paralyzed, unable to pass resolutions or conduct business. Local residents have expressed frustration, with some accusing councilors of putting personal ambition above public service.
The court is expected to set a hearing date within the coming days. Until then, all election activities remain frozen, and the district remains on edge.
