Lira, Uganda | A wave of defections from Uganda’s oldest political party, Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), has given the ruling NRM’s parliamentary candidate Sam Engola fresh momentum as he launched his first campaign rally on Monday in Amach Subcounty, Erute South.
More than 150 UPC officials and supporters announced they are backing Engola and President Yoweri Museveni in the January 2026 elections, in a constituency long considered represented by a member of parliament from UPC.
Engola Sam, a Senior Presidential Advisor on Lango Affairs, former MP and Minister, is seeking to reclaim the Erute South seat from incumbent Jonathan Odur (UPC), who has represented the constituency for a decade.
Many of the defectors accused Odur of poor representation and disconnection from the communities.
Among those switching allegiance was Okori David, UPC Chairperson for Amach Subcounty, who said he had endured years of unreturned calls while grappling with water shortages and other local challenges.
NRM’s Amach Subcounty Chairperson Ogwang Tonny criticised Odur as a politician who “sits outside where the national cake is shared and opposes government programmes,” urging voters to send Engola to Parliament to “tap development” for a constituency he said has suffered neglect.
Other UPC members, including Alili Joe and Vincent Ogwang, also declared support for Engola at the rally held in Onyakede.
The NRM leadership in Lira District echoed the call for change, Jacob Ocen (Lira City NRM Publicity Secretary), speaking on behalf of NRM District Chairperson Agnes Linda Auma, said the constituency had previously “elected a leader who speaks much but lobbies nothing,” appealing to residents to vote for Museveni, Engola, and other NRM flagbearers on 15 January 2026.
Former Ambassador Lolo Abura also attended, announcing he had reconciled with Engola after years of political and personal differences.
Businessman Robert Okodia, head of Engola’s task force, told supporters the constituency needed “a bus tire, not a pickup tire,” in reference to what he described as underperforming past leaders.
Long-time NRM supporter Geoffrey Etwop pledged to bring five Caterpillar graders to rehabilitate roads if Engola is elected, and promised to begin work on the Odit Swamp Bridge in February 2026.
Etwop also credited Engola with resolving a past land dispute with NEMA when he accompanied him to the agency’s headquarters in Kampala.
In his address, Engola thanked defecting UPC supporters and promised to improve education standards in Erute South, which he said had declined since he left Parliament.
He cited government approval of 2.4 billion shillings for electrification across the constituency, saying increased power access would boost youth employment and trading centre growth.
Engola also highlighted his past support to students, claiming he offered scholarships to more than 400 learners during earlier terms in Parliament and an additional 10 this year.
He criticised Odur as “talkative in Parliament but inactive in the constituency,” urging voters to choose leaders aligned with the NRM government’s development agenda.
He said the Parish Development Model, which currently allocates one million shillings per beneficiary, would soon rise to two million.
With UPC leaders crossing over and NRM structures mobilising behind Engola, the Erute South race appears set for a highly competitive contest.
Engola ended his rally calling on supporters to vote for President Museveni, himself, and all NRM candidates in the January polls.
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