Kampala, Uganda | Col. Dr. John Francis Ongia, a resident of Alwala village in Burakwana Parish, Namasale Subcounty, Amolatar District, has been elected unopposed as Vice Chairman of the NRM Veterans League for Northern Uganda.
He was confirmed during the delegates’ conference held on August 26, 2025, at Kololo.
Ongia pledged to use his new position to serve and unite veterans across the Lango, Acholi and West Nile subregions.
He attributed his election to the knowledge and experience he possesses and expressed excitement at taking up the position.
He commended the delegates who supported and endorsed him.
Alongside his new role, Ongia has picked nomination forms to contest for the Kioga County parliamentary seat, having done so on August 18, 2025.
He is expected to launch his campaigns in September.
He dismissed suggestions that his election as Vice Chairman of the Veterans League would stop him from contesting for Parliament.
He explained that the position instead gives him an advantage in lobbying for development.
According to Ongia, the NRM government needs leaders who are well connected and able to deliver.
He believes his role in the Veterans League will strengthen his ability to push for services such as hospitals, schools and other infrastructure in Amolatar.
Ongia will now face stiff competition from incumbent Kioga County MP Moses Jr Okot Bitek of the FDC, NRM flagbearer Felix Adupa Ongwech, UPC’s Collins Angwech, among others.
He called on the people of Kioga and Amolatar to support his bid, stressing that the area has lagged behind for too long and now requires a lobbyist with strong government links to move it forward.