West Acholi has registered 51 aspirants competing for 14 parliamentary flags, while East Acholi has 45 aspirants for the remaining 14. Of these, 15 women come from West Acholi and 26 from East Acholi. This translates into Shs153 million collected from West Acholi and Shs135 million from East Acholi.
By Willy Chowoo| Gulu City
As the National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary primaries gain momentum nationwide, the Acholi sub-region is witnessing an unprecedented wave of political enthusiasm. A total of 96 aspirants have picked nomination forms and each paid the mandatory Shs3 million fee to the NRM Electoral Commission, raising a collective Shs288 million from the sub-region alone.
The NRM EC collected sh5.5 billion from 2,718 aspirants who have expressed interest in contesting for the party tickets for various such as members of Parliament (MPs), District chairpersons (LCV), City and Lord mayors across the county. This amount is expected to go beyond after bank reconciliation according to the NRM EC boss Dr. Tanga Odoi.
Acholi comprises 28 parliamentary constituencies, including directly elected Members of Parliament and District Woman Representatives—spanning eight districts and one city. The race has drawn a diverse group of contenders: 55 men and 41 women. Among the women, 32 are vying for NRM Tickets for Woman Member of Parliament seats, while nine are contesting in open constituencies—signaling a new level of political assertiveness among women in the region. This means women now account for 42.7% of all aspirants in Acholi.
Out of the 9 women, 5 are from west Acholi and 4 are from East resenting only 16.4% of those contesting for the party tickets for open constituencies across the sub region.
Komakech David, a political and governance analyst who is working with Civic Society organization, described the trend as encouraging for Uganda’s democratic growth.
“We are making progress in bridging the gender gap. Over the past three election cycles, women’s participation has increased steadily. With more women stepping into leadership, we are seeing greater attention to their unique issues,” Komakech said.
He added that for decades, leadership in cultural, religious, and political spheres has been dominated by men. The recent surge in women contesting even in open seats signals a positive shift. However, Komakech warned about the negative influence of money in the primaries.
“We must be careful—money is being used as a weapon. It can exclude committed, grassroots leaders, especially women. The electorate must scrutinize candidates’ intentions—many are driven by political survival, not genuine service.”
This concern was echoed by Kenneth Rubangkene, a Programme Associate with Gulu NGO Forum, who attributed the rising numbers, especially of women, to structural factors and socio-economic dynamics.
“Uganda’s shift to a multiparty system in 2005, coupled with the introduction of affirmative action, has enabled more women to contest, including against men,” Rubankene explained. “However, politics is increasingly seen as a source of employment rather than public service, especially by unemployed youth and women.”
He noted that economic hardship is pushing more people, especially women, into politics as a survival strategy.
“With the risks involved in labor migration to countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, and others, where many women have suffered abuse or even death, some now see politics as a safer way to secure a livelihood,” he said.
Rubangkene further observed that people are joining the NRM not necessarily because it is a mass movement, but because it offers opportunities for appointments, even to those who lose elections.
“Many view the NRM as a pathway to jobs like RDCs, assistant RDCs, or district appointments. This influx should prompt the party to reflect: after 40 years in power, how much opportunity has it really created for ordinary citizens?” he questioned.
He also blamed the weakness and infighting in opposition parties for NRM’s growing appeal in northern Uganda.
“With figures like Dr. Kizza Besigye sidelined and FDC in conflict with the newly registered PFF, plus NUP and DP constantly at odds, opposition parties are failing to present a credible alternative. This has left regions like Acholi wide open for NRM.”
However, the NRM spokesperson for Gulu City, Oyet Samuel Agweni, dismissed claims that people were joining the party for jobs, insisting it was out of genuine support.
“The majority of Ugandans have fallen in love with the NRM party, and that is why many are joining us,” he said
West Acholi has registered 51 aspirants competing for 14 parliamentary flags, while East Acholi has 45 aspirants for the remaining 14. Of these, 15 women come from West Acholi and 26 from East Acholi. This translates into Shs153 million collected from West Acholi and Shs135 million from East Acholi.
Several women are directly challenging male contenders. In Nwoya East County, former Woman MP Adong Lilly is contesting against two men. In Nwoya County, Stella Kijange Lajiri is taking on incumbent Tony Awany.
In Amuru District, Lanam Kijange is contesting Kilak South against former LCV Chairperson Michael Lakony. In Gulu City, former RDC Atim Grace Oleyowiya is up against prominent lawyer Tony Kitara—who recently defected from the DP to join NRM—for the Laroo-Pece flag.
In Tochi County, Omoro District, Everlyn Laker Otim is competing in a five-way race with four male rivals. In East Acholi, Nagudi Aisha Anna Okot is facing four male aspirants for the Chua West flag. In Kitgum Municipality, the State Minister for Environment is once again facing Oryem Henry Kissinger, who beat her in the 2021 primaries.
In Aruu North, Ocwii Sophy is contesting alongside incumbent Ochen Julius Peter and two others, while in Agago North, Atim Beatrice is challenging incumbent Okot John Amos.
However, no women are competing against men in open seats in Gulu and Lamwo districts.
NRM Chairperson for Kitgum District, Odong Cyrus, welcomed the high interest as a sign of the party’s resilience.
“This shows the NRM is growing stronger. We are analyzing the qualities of our candidates as the party becomes more entrenched,” he said.
In Chua West, Minister Henry Okello Oryem, who lost in the 2021 primaries, now faces an uphill battle as he goes head-to-head with war veteran Rtd Maj Gen Fredrick Tolit Ociti.
Amuru District leads with 15 aspirants—including eight women for Woman MP and one in an open seat. Agago follows with 13. The lowest numbers are from Nwoya, Omoro, and Gulu districts, each with eight aspirants.
NRM Chairperson for Nwoya District, Margaret Adokorach, said their lower numbers were a result of consensus-building to avoid intra-party conflict.
“We encouraged dialogue among potential aspirants, especially where family ties existed,” she explained.
Former Amuru Woman MP Aciro Concy is facing seven other female challengers. Former district chair Michael Lakony will battle two others for Kilak South. In Kilak North, former Acholi Parliamentary Group Chairperson Akol Anthony—who recently joined NRM from FDC—is competing against youth candidate Okot Kenneth and two others.
In Gulu District, five women are contesting for the Woman MP flag. Incumbent Laker Sharon Balmoyi faces stiff competition from District Speaker Ayoo Phoebe Obol and former Laroo-Pece candidate Atimango Nancy.
In Aswa County, youthful candidates are taking the spotlight. MP Wokorach Simon Peter is being challenged by Okot Francis, a former Gulu University Guild President, and Ray Otii, who ran in 2016.
According to Gulu District NRM Chairperson Ocen Christopher, this reflects a growing political maturity among young people.
“We are hopeful these young leaders will represent us well. We also expect the President to consider appointing a minister from this area,” he said.
In Gulu City, all eyes are on the Bardege–Layibi parliamentary race, where music icon Joyce Bosmic Otim is challenging the incumbent, Ojara Martin Mapenduzi. Meanwhile, former Ugandan Deputy Ambassador to Egypt, Nyeko Michael Ocula, has entered the race, joining the contest for the NRM flag currently held by Pastor Roy Olal Robert, who remains in the running. This has set the stage for an intriguing six‑way battle.
As the countdown to the NRM primaries continues, the Acholi sub-region is shaping up for one of the most competitive internal elections in recent history—one that could significantly reshape the region’s political landscape ahead of the 2026 general elections
