AMOLATAR, Uganda – The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has sanctioned a series of criminal charges against Rt. Col. (Dr.) John Francis Ongia, a parliamentary candidate for Kioga County, and his brother, Odongo Isaac, casting a shadow over his political ambitions.
The charges, detailed in court documents, include threatening violence, store breaking, and theft, all allegedly committed in April 2024 in Alwala Village, Burakwana Parish, within the Namasale Sub-county.
The case revolves around a property dispute involving land Ongia had previously sold to Slava Ministries Limited. According to the charge sheets, after the sale, Ongia allegedly declined to hand over the land title. The situation escalated when he, alongside his brother and others still at large, is accused of breaking into a store belonging to the ministry.
The specific allegations state that the accused persons stole a black laser machine and a Makita wood-cutting machine, with the total value of the stolen goods estimated at UGX 11,860,000 (approximately UGX 11.86 million).
In a separate count, Col. Dr. Ongia is individually charged with threatening violence against Okeng Raphael Boniface. The particulars of the offence allege that Ongia, “with intent to intimidate or annoy,” threatened to assault or kill Okeng.
The accused persons have been summoned to appear before the Grade One Magistrate’s Court in Amolatar on October 29, 2025, to answer to these charges. The court documents, including criminal summonses and charge sheets, identify the accused as follows:
· A1: Col. Dr. Ongia Francis John, a 60-year-old retired UPDF soldier, resident of Alwala Village.
· A2: Odongo Isaac, a 35-year-old pastor at Kioga Miracle Center Church, also resident of Alwala Village.
The case, which has been filed under the Penal Code Act, presents a significant legal challenge for the parliamentary candidate as he navigates both the judicial process and the court of public opinion ahead of the upcoming elections. The public will be watching closely as the case unfolds later this month.
This report is based on official charge sheets and criminal summonses issued by the court.
