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FDC President Patrick Amuriat Arrested in Soroti, Whereabouts Unknown
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party president, Patrick Amuriat, and Members of Parliament Joan Alobo (Soroti City Woman), Jonathan Ebwalu (Soroti City West), and Julius Ekudo (Akobo County) have been arrested following a protest in Soroti demanding government compensation for lost cattle.
The Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party has reported the arrest of its president, Eng. Patrick Oboi Amuriat, along with several Members of Parliament and party leaders in Soroti City.
In a statement shared on X, the party confirmed that among those arrested are Hon. Alobo Joan, Hon. Jonathan Ebwaru, and other officials.
However, the reason for their arrest and their current location remain unclear.
The incident has raised concerns among party members and supporters, with calls for the authorities to provide clarity on the arrests.
Soroti, located in eastern Uganda, has been a stronghold of political activity, with the FDC maintaining a significant presence in the region.
Local observers speculate that the arrests could be linked to ongoing political tensions, particularly as Uganda moves closer to the 2026 elections.
Amuriat, who contested against President Yoweri Museveni in the 2021 general elections, has remained a vocal opposition figure.
Meanwhile, FDC leaders and human rights activists are demanding the immediate release of their colleagues and transparency regarding their detention.
The leaders, under the slogan “No Cow, No Vote,” were protesting the government’s failure to fulfill its promise to compensate livestock lost during past insurgencies.
The leaders, under the slogan “No Cow, No Vote,” were protesting the government’s failure to fulfill its promise to compensate livestock lost during past insurgencies.
The demonstration, which was to include prayers at the Public Gardens in Soroti City, was met with heavy police deployment that blocked the venue.
Security forces intercepted and arrested the leaders before they could address the crowd.
Several supporters who attempted to join the protest were also dispersed by police using tear gas.
Soroti City West MP Jonathan Ebwalu and Soroti City Woman MP Joan Alobo also condemned what they called the “selective compensation policy,” arguing that while other regions had been compensated, the Teso sub-region had remained neglected.
Efforts to reach regional police commander Damalie Nachuha were unsuccessful.
However, supporters have vowed to continue pushing for compensation.
As tensions rise, it remains unclear whether the government will respond to these demands.
Speaking before his arrest, Amuriat said that the government has ignored the suffering of cattle keepers in Eastern and Northern Uganda, despite previous commitments to compensate them.
“People lost their livelihoods, and to date, the government has turned a deaf ear. If they do not compensate our people, they should not expect our votes,” he stated.