By Brian Innocent Opio
Lira, Uganda | Alyela Denis Omodi, a civil servant and survivor of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) insurgency, has officially launched his campaign for the Lira City East Parliamentary seat, pledging to deliver transformative leadership rooted in lived experience, unity, and infrastructure development.
Launching his bid under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Omodi told the press in Lira City that the city no longer had an active opposition.
He argued that the political landscape had evolved, noting that the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), once the primary opposition force in the area, had since merged with the NRM following the 2021 elections.
He said the people were now united under one political umbrella, focusing not on competition but on the collective development of Lira City.
Omodi, one of three aspirants seeking the NRM flag for the Lira City East seat, is contesting against presidential advisor Francis Okello Opio and businessman Ogwal Umar Kanjule.
His campaign places strong emphasis on practical experience, personal resilience, and a deep-rooted connection to the community.
He shared that in 1991, he had been abducted by the LRA, an experience that profoundly shaped his outlook on leadership and service.
He said his time at Ngetta Girls School exposed him to the struggles of education in a conflict-affected region.
These experiences, he claimed, gave him unmatched empathy for the people of Lira City East and uniquely qualified him to represent them.
Omodi also appealed to the media to maintain professionalism and accuracy in their coverage.
He cautioned against the spread of propaganda and urged journalists to provide the public with truthful information that would foster unity rather than division.
Turning to policy, Omodi prioritised infrastructure improvement, especially road development, as a key pillar of his campaign.
He said Lira City’s business potential could only be realized through a functioning and efficient road network.
Without proper infrastructure, he warned, commercial growth and service delivery would continue to stall.
With the NRM primaries fast approaching on 17 July, Omodi’s campaign seeks to position him not just as a politician, but as a tested leader ready to rebuild and drive Lira City East into a more prosperous future.