The recent visit to the President is seen as a step closer to all opposition leaders from Acholi joining the NRM party.
By Willy Chowoo
The NRM Chief Whip in the Parliament of Uganda, Denis Hamson Obua, has urged the people of Acholi to stop opposing the NRM government and instead focus on consolidating the gains made in the sub-region.
Speaking at Ajulu Primary School in Gulu District during the belated Mary’s Day celebration on Sunday, March 30, 2025, organized by the Mother’s Union at the Diocese of Northern Uganda, Obua emphasized the need for collaboration now that peace has been restored.
“With the guns now silent, it is time to work with the government to develop our sub-region,” Obua stated.
He commended Acholi opposition Members of Parliament who recently visited President Yoweri Museveni, signaling their willingness to work with the NRM government.
“If senior leaders like Betty Aol, Gilbert Olanya, and Peter Okot have decided to cooperate with the NRM, who are you to continue opposing the government? Let us join hands and work together for the development of this sub-region,” he urged.
Obua described the recent visit as the beginning of a significant political shift towards the NRM party.
“We believe that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. To us, that meeting was the first step. Our goal is to uplift the people of Acholi and Northern Uganda from poverty,” Obua affirmed.
Museveni’s Second Chance to Win in Acholi
Since 1996, President Yoweri Museveni has steadily gained votes in the opposition stronghold of the Acholi sub-region, although the ground has not always been favorable for the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. His most significant defeat in the region came during the 1996 presidential election when Democratic Party (DP) candidate Paul Kawanga Ssemogerere secured a sweeping victory with 223,139 votes (89.41%) against Museveni’s 23,686 votes (9.49%).
Despite these setbacks, Museveni consistently ranked second in all general elections in the region until 2011, when he secured a historic victory over both Dr. Kizza Besigye of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Norbert Mao of the Democratic Party. In that election, Museveni garnered 114,143 votes, surpassing Besigye, who received 48,598 votes, and Mao, who managed 73,760 votes.
In the 2016 elections, Besigye once again defeated Museveni in Acholi, but this time by a narrower margin. Besigye secured 144,006 votes, while Museveni closely followed with 140,809 votes.
Over the years, President Museveni has faced 29 different challengers in Uganda’s presidential elections. The 2021 general election saw the highest number of candidates, with 10 other contenders joining the race. With Besigye opting out after four unsuccessful bids, the political dynamics in Acholi shifted significantly, providing an opening for the NRM. Museveni secured a landslide victory in the region, receiving 200,285 votes (54.89%) against newcomer Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (National Unity Platform – NUP), who managed 73,011 votes (20.01%). Norbert Mao trailed in third place with 29,425 votes (8.06%).
For the first time in decades, the Acholi sub-region, once a firm opposition stronghold, leaned towards Museveni and the NRM, with several party members winning district leadership positions. This shift has been attributed to growing divisions within opposition parties, defections, and strategic realignments within the region’s political landscape.
Notably, a wave of FDC defections to the NRM has reinforced Museveni’s influence in Acholi. Key figures who have switched allegiance include Ojara Martin Mapenduzi (formerly FDC, now Independent), the MP for Bardege-Layibi Division; Akol Anthony (Kilak North MP, FDC); and Amuru District LC5 Chairman Lakony Michael (FDC). Their move to the NRM signals a potential realignment of political loyalties in the region.
Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya (FDC) has predicted that Acholi may once again vote for Museveni in the upcoming elections, despite the FDC fielding an official candidate. However, FDC Vice President for Northern Uganda, Hon. Hassan Kaps Fungaroo, remains optimistic, stating that the party is actively working to reclaim its stronghold. He recently held meetings with FDC executives from both West and East Acholi to strategize for the next elections.
Meanwhile, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has also sought to regain lost ground in Acholi. Party President Jimmy Akena has declared his intention to contest for the presidency and has made visits to both East and West Acholi, aiming to rekindle UPC’s historical influence in the region. During Uganda’s early independence years, Acholi was a stronghold for the UPC.
With opposition parties facing internal divisions and NRM making strategic inroads, Museveni appears to have a realistic chance of consolidating his support in Acholi for a second time. However, the evolving political landscape and opposition efforts to regroup may still pose a challenge in the forthcoming elections.
Voting Leaders Who Can Deliver
As the election year approaches, the call to vote for leaders who can deliver is taking center stage. NRM Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua has urged the people of Aswa County to elect leaders like Hon. Wokorach Simon Peter, who unseated a leader who had served for 25 years. MP Wokorach replaced Hon. Okumu Ronald Reagan in 2021, and Obua commended him for effectively delivering on his promises to the electorate.
Kilak South Member of Parliament in Amuru District, Gilbert Olanya, emphasized the importance of electing capable leaders, stating, “The time for voting leaders who only talk is over. That was during the days when people were still in IDP camps. Now, we need leaders who can deliver tangible results for our people.”
Obua praised Olanya for advocating for action-oriented leadership. “I am pleased that leaders like Olanya are now acknowledging that the era of lamenting without delivering is gone. People want leaders who can bring development to our communities,” he noted.
Hon. Anywar Ricky, the MP for Agago West, stressed that Acholi cannot afford to send leaders who engage in fights in Parliament. Instead, he urged voters to elect leaders focused on development and service delivery.
“I believe the time for electing leaders who break down doors to enter Parliament is over,” Anywar remarked.
Kilak North MP Akol Anthony has been involved in physical altercations with fellow legislators twice, most recently in 2024 with Hon. Francis Zaake and previously with Hon. Odonga Samuel Otto. Notably, Hon. Odonga once made headlines for forcefully breaking the door of the Ugandan Parliament during a confrontation.
With the election period nearing, the call for capable and action-driven leadership in Acholi continues to grow stronger.
Serving Beyond Elective Positions
In Uganda, winning an election is often seen as the key to implementing one’s manifesto. However, the former Bishop of Lango Diocese, Charles Odurkami, believes that leadership is not just about securing electoral victory.
Speaking on the role of leadership in Uganda, Bishop Emeritus Charles Odurkami emphasized that those that shall be elected in 2026 should dedicate themselves to serving the people with integrity and faith. He urged leaders at all levels to prioritize God in their decision-making processes, as divine guidance is crucial in governance.
“We should put God before us in everything we do. The decisions we make, the laws we enact, and the policies we implement should bring honor and glory to God while promoting godliness,” he stated.
Bishop Emeritus Odurkami also encouraged leaders who may not win elections to continue serving their communities in any capacity they can. He highlighted the common tendency for political aspirants to abandon their commitments once they fail to secure elective positions, a practice he discouraged.
“Many times, people come with strong manifestos, but the moment they lose an election, they withdraw completely. However, leadership is not just about holding an office. If there is anything you can still do within your means to serve the same people, do it. True leadership is about service, not just winning elections,” he advised.
His remarks come at a time when Uganda is gearing up for the 2026 general elections, with political contenders intensifying their campaigns. Bishop Odurkami’s message serves as a reminder that leadership extends beyond holding office and that those committed to making a difference can do so regardless of electoral outcomes.
