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Government Chief Whip Obua Concedes Defeat in Ajuri County Polls

Alebtong, Uganda | The Government Chief Whip and Vice Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) for Northern Uganda, Denis Hamson Obua, has conceded defeat in the Ajuri County parliamentary polls following the declaration of results for the 2026–2031 term. In a press statement issued on January 28, 2026, Obua said he had accepted the outcome announced by the Electoral Commission (EC) and thanked voters for the opportunity to serve them. “I concede the declared results and appreciate the people of Ajuri County for entrusting me with leadership as their Area Member of Parliament,” Obua said. He noted that during his tenure, he served the constituency to the best of his abilities and made contributions toward its development. Despite the loss, Obua pledged to continue serving Uganda, the ruling NRM party, and the people of Northern Uganda outside elective politics. “For the next five years, I pledge to continue serving my country Uganda, my party NRM and the people of Northern Uganda, particularly Lango and Ajuri, outside elective politics,” he said. According to the EC Return Form (RF), Jalameso won the race after securing 16,336 votes, defeating the incumbent Denis Hamson Obua of the NRM, who polled 15,568 votes. Other candidates included Emmanuel Ongom Okwel of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) with 2,874 votes, Jasper Molo (Independent) with 1,585 votes, and Stephen Omara (Independent), who garnered 519 votes. The election recorded 36,882 valid votes, 1,164 rejected ballot papers, and 38,046 total ballots counted, including 99 spoilt ballots, according to EC figures. Obua also congratulated the newly elected Ajuri County Member of Parliament for the 2026–2031 term and wished him success in representing the electorate. Political analysts say the Government Chief Whip’s concession demonstrates political maturity and respect for the electoral process. Source The post Government Chief Whip Obua Concedes Defeat in Ajuri County Polls appeared first on Dokolo Post.

Fire Guts Five-Roomed House in Lira City West, Woman Collapses from Shock

Lira, Uganda | Police in Lira City West Division are investigating circumstances under which a fire gutted a five-roomed residential house in Anai Ward on Tuesday afternoon, leaving property destroyed and one woman hospitalised. According to police, the incident occurred at Anai Agali Cell, Anai Ward, Lira City West Division. An emergency call was received at about 2:14 p.m., reporting that a residential house was on fire. The North Kyoga Regional Fire and Rescue Team, commanded by Cpl Achala, swiftly responded to the scene using fire appliance registration number UP 4741. Upon arrival, firefighters found the house fully engulfed in flames. Firefighting operations were immediately launched, and the fire was successfully contained and extinguished. The affected house belongs to Odong Jasper. Police said all household property, including bedding and other domestic items, were completely destroyed by the blaze. During the incident, the wife of the homeowner collapsed due to shock and was rushed to a nearby medical facility for treatment. Her full particulars were not immediately established by the time of filing this report. Police credited the Fire and Rescue Team for preventing the fire from spreading to neighbouring structures, saving surrounding buildings from destruction. The cause of the fire has not yet been established, and investigations are ongoing. Police spokesperson for North Kyoga Region, SP Patrick Jimmy Okema, urged residents to observe basic fire safety measures as inquiries into the incident continue. Source The post Fire Guts Five-Roomed House in Lira City West, Woman Collapses from Shock appeared first on Dokolo Post.

Inside Akena’s Defiance: Obua Row, Ajuri Calls, Cabinet Offers Rejected — He Refuses Museveni Twice and Won’t Bow to Pressure

Lira, Uganda | Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) Party President Jimmy James Michael Akena has dismissed claims that his recent political posture was driven by personal hostility toward Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua, saying his actions were guided by principle rather than vendetta. Responding to a question on QFM’s Yite-Twolo Talk-Back Morning Show by host Omara Elem on whether he had taken issues with Obua personally or was attempting to send a political message to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Akena explained that his decisions should be understood within the broader context of party discipline, political integrity and long-term ideological consistency. He revealed that after missing out on the presidential ballot, many supporters urged him to contest for Parliament in Ajuri County, but he declined and instead chose to support the party’s candidate Fred Jalameso. He said that taking an independent route would have damaged the party and exposed him to accusations of destroying UPC from within. Turning to the state of development in Lango, Akena cautioned against what he described as an exaggerated celebration of government achievements. He questioned claims around recent health sector developments, noting that while leaders speak about Health Centre IVs, UPC’s legacy in the region included the construction of a general hospital in Apac. He urged leaders to be honest when assessing development in Lango. Asked by moderator Paul Odom Aryam about alleged collaboration between UPC and the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Akena disclosed that President Museveni had twice invited him to join Cabinet, first in 2011 and again in 2016, but he rejected both offers on principle. He explained that remaining faithful to UPC ideology took precedence over personal political advancement. He added that although he remained open to dialogue with President Museveni, any engagement would have to be conducted on equal footing. Akena emphasized that he was willing to negotiate but not from a position of weakness or political dependency. Akena credited himself for the survival and relevance of the Inter-Party Organisation for Dialogue (IPOD), saying the platform exists in its current form largely because of his efforts. He noted that he continues to engage with IPOD leadership, including its chairperson Norbert Mao. Despite being blocked from the presidential ballot, Akena said UPC still managed to secure 12 Members of Parliament, which he described as a strong performance given the circumstances. He said the party was effectively defending itself under pressure yet still emerged with measurable electoral success. Addressing allegations that he received money from State House, Akena categorically denied ever receiving funds from President Museveni. He clarified claims involving Adim Enap, stating that the money referenced was not from State House but his own personal savings. Akena further explained that the savings had been accumulated through discipline encouraged by his wife, Gender & Labour Minister Betty Amongi, and that Adim Enap had never accompanied him to State House. Akena also recalled a hit-and-run accident in 2011, which occurred on the same night he had been summoned for a meeting in Ntinda. He said the incident reinforced his belief that some political actors were uncomfortable with his presence and influence at the time. He concluded by stating that despite sustained efforts to politically weaken or eliminate him, he had survived and continued to mobilise for his party. He said those attempts failed, as he successfully campaigned for UPC candidates who went on to win electoral victories. Source The post Inside Akena’s Defiance: Obua Row, Ajuri Calls, Cabinet Offers Rejected — He Refuses Museveni Twice and Won’t Bow to Pressure appeared first on Dokolo Post.

MPs Demand Clarity from Ministry of Health on Health System Digitisation Amid Cross-Border Patient Challenges Ahead of UGX 32.5B Approval

Kampala, Uganda | Lawmakers have called on the Ministry of Health to present a comprehensive strategy for digitising Uganda’s public health system, warning that ongoing proposals risk being disjointed and ineffective without a coordinated national plan. During today’s parliamentary session, Paul Omara (Otuke County MP) questioned the rationale behind the push for digital systems, noting that multiple sectors had proposed digitisation but Parliament remained unaware of any overarching strategy guiding these initiatives. He highlighted that the country needed a clear plan on how digital systems would address challenges such as the mismanagement and theft of drugs. Omara also criticised the piecemeal approach, noting that some ministries procure their own digital systems independently, which could create inefficiencies and hinder proper integration within government. Vice Chairperson of the Budget Committee, Achia Remigio, echoed the concerns, stressing that Parliament needed clarity on the rollout plan before funds are approved. He pointed out that digitisation was not only about installing wires but also about establishing proper networks, and asked whether the rollout would cover the entire country or only selected regional hospitals, referring to the UGX 32.5 billion allocated for hospital management systems. Some MPs, including Sylvia Nayebare (Gomba Woman MP), expressed support for the initiative, arguing that digitising health systems would improve transparency in drug usage and patient care. She emphasised that having a proper database would enable health authorities to track disease incidence, vaccination coverage, and patient needs more effectively. However, challenges were also raised, Ruyonga noted that health centres along Uganda’s borders serve large numbers of patients from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and questioned how the digitisation of hospitals would accommodate cross-border patients, particularly regarding drug consumption. The debate concluded with Achia insisting that the Ministry of Health present a clear national health sector digitisation strategy before Parliament considers approval of the UGX 32.5 billion funding. Source The post MPs Demand Clarity from Ministry of Health on Health System Digitisation Amid Cross-Border Patient Challenges Ahead of UGX 32.5B Approval appeared first on Dokolo Post.

PDM Audit: Only Shs9.3bn Recovered, Shs508bn Undisbursed

Kampala, Uganda | The Auditor General, Edward Akol, has revealed that only Shs9.34 billion has so far been recovered from beneficiaries of the Parish Development Model (PDM), despite Government having cumulatively released over Shs3.25 trillion to support household wealth creation across the country. Akol made the disclosure while presenting the December 2025 Annual Audit Report to the Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among, on Thursday. According to the report, voluntary recovery had commenced among 18,105 beneficiaries drawn from 709 Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) in 30 local governments under the 2022 PDM funding lot, but recovery efforts remained weak and inadequately planned at local government level. The Auditor General noted that although the beneficiaries who had received the Parish Revolving Fund by December 2022 had begun voluntary repayment, there was no evidence of preparedness for recovery across all local governments involved. He further reported that out of the Shs3.258 trillion cumulatively released by Government to 10,589 PDM SACCOs, only Shs2.75 trillion (84%) had been disbursed to households by the end of the 2024/2025 financial year, leaving Shs508.6 billion (16%) undistributed. Akol highlighted several challenges undermining the implementation of the PDM, including the financing of non-existent or ghost projects, delays in disbursement of funds to households, implementation of ineligible projects, diversion of funds and the presence of duplicate beneficiaries. In response to the audit findings, Speaker Anita Among urged the Auditor General to intensify scrutiny and enforcement in the auditing of PDM funds to ensure the money reaches the intended beneficiaries. Among observed that while Parliament continues to appropriate funds for programmes such as the PDM with the expectation that they will benefit the final users, diversion of funds remains a major concern, with money often failing to reach the intended recipients. She further stressed that Parliament could not continue appropriating funds only for a small, already well-off segment of the population to benefit, while a large portion of the intended beneficiaries remain excluded, and therefore called on the Auditor General to take firm action to ensure equitable access to the programme. The Speaker also defended the PDM, noting that its success stories among rightful beneficiaries significantly contributed to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) securing votes during the recently concluded general elections. However, she cautioned that persistent weaknesses highlighted in the audit report, including delays in disbursement, instances of some beneficiaries receiving funds more than once while others received nothing, and poor alignment with parish priorities, threaten the credibility and effectiveness of the programme. The Parish Development Model is a flagship government initiative aimed at transitioning households from subsistence to commercial production by channelling funds directly to communities at the parish level. Source The post PDM Audit: Only Shs9.3bn Recovered, Shs508bn Undisbursed appeared first on Dokolo Post.

Lutwama Comissions Multi-Sector Projects to Boost Trade and Livelihoods in Alebtong

Alebtong, Uganda | Deputy Resident District Commissioner Mathias Lutwama has commissioned a series of government projects in Alebtong District, saying they are aimed at stimulating trade, improving access to markets, and enhancing household livelihoods. The commissioning exercise, conducted on Thursday 29 January, 2026, covered key sectors including roads, water, sanitation, and education. Lutwama said the developments reflect government’s efforts to create an enabling environment for economic activities in rural areas. A highlight of the projects was the Okodi Acur Road in Alebtong Town Council, a strategic route linking traders from Alebtong to the Karamoja sub-region. Local leaders noted the road will ease transportation of cattle, maize, and rice, and strengthen cross-regional trade. In Amugu Sub-county, a Shs235 million water supply project was commissioned at Aminoko Village. The facility will provide clean water for households and support small-scale irrigation, helping farming families increase productivity and incomes. Education and sanitation also featured in the projects. A five-stance pit latrine at Iyama Primary School in Aloi Sub-county was completed under the Sector Development Grant, improving hygiene standards for pupils. A four-classroom block worth Shs93.9 million was also commissioned at Tyengar Primary School in Abako Sub-county to ease congestion caused by rising enrollment under the Universal Primary Education programme. Lutwama urged communities to safeguard the facilities and make full use of them, emphasizing that government projects are designed to empower citizens economically and socially. Residents and local leaders welcomed the interventions, saying improved infrastructure and access to markets will enhance business opportunities and raise standards of living across the district. Source The post Lutwama Comissions Multi-Sector Projects to Boost Trade and Livelihoods in Alebtong appeared first on Dokolo Post.

Lira City Divisions Fall to UPC as Ebong Opeto, Denis Peter Beat Rashid Opio, Emmy Joe

Lira, Uganda | The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has staged a strong political comeback in Lira City, sweeping the division mayoral races in a development that signals a shifting political tide in the Lango subregion following the 2026 Local Government Council elections. In a tightly contested race in Lira City West Division, UPC’s Emmanuel Ebong Opeto was declared winner after polling 7,117 votes, edging out NRM’s George Rashid Opio, who garnered 6,494 votes. The UPC momentum was even more pronounced in Lira City East Division, where Odongo Denis Peter secured a convincing victory with 10,053 votes, defeating NRM’s Odongo Emmy Joe, who polled 8,079 votes. The results were announced by the Returning Officer, Ipeto Aggrey James, at Lira City Hall in the evening hours of Tuesday. Other contenders in the Lira East race trailed far behind, with Omach David polling 899 votes, Okwee George 788, Awany James Johakim 435, Ocip Moses 399, Ongia Daniel 202, Odom Denish 171, and Acar George 155. The twin UPC victories mean the party will control both Lira City East and West Division mayoral seats, a development political observers say reflects growing urban support for the opposition party in Lira City. The division mayors will serve alongside Lira City Mayor Sam Atul, who retained his seat on January 23, 2026, after polling 16,905 votes, ahead of Mike Ogwang Olwa Veve, who garnered 11,752 votes. While UPC made significant inroads in Lira City, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) tightened its grip on Soroti City, winning both division mayoral seats. In Soroti City East Division, NRM’s Latif Abdul Wali cruised to a landslide victory with 11,003 votes, defeating six challengers. Solomon Epuru (NUP) polled 217 votes, Wilfred Onyango (IND) 424 votes, and Elias Ewacu (DF) garnered 74 votes. NRM also triumphed in Soroti City West Division, where John Enomu emerged winner with 7,899 votes. He defeated Isaac Asaku (FDC), who polled 3,874 votes, Samuel Eyobu (IND) with 1,443 votes, and Peter Patrick Emaru (UPC) who garnered 363 votes. The contrasting outcomes in Lira and Soroti highlight evolving political dynamics in eastern and northern urban centres, with UPC asserting dominance in Lira City divisions as NRM maintains control of Soroti City. Source The post Lira City Divisions Fall to UPC as Ebong Opeto, Denis Peter Beat Rashid Opio, Emmy Joe appeared first on Dokolo Post.

NRM’s 2026 Election Triumph: The Unsung Role of Assistant RDCs and ARCCs

By Fred Baluku, Kasese District Uganda’s 2026 elections will be remembered as a defining moment in the nation’s democratic journey. Across the country, voters demonstrated their will, unity, and commitment to progress, resulting in a decisive victory for the National Resistance Movement (NRM). But behind this success were unsung heroes, the Assistant Resident District Commissioners (ARDCs) and Assistant Resident City Commissioners (ARCCs), whose dedication, leadership, and grassroots engagement turned opposition strongholds into NRM victories. In April 2024, President Yoweri Museveni and the Office of the President made a bold move, the appointment of Assistant RDCs and ARCCs to reinforce the capacity of RDCs and RCCs. The decision, aimed at strengthening leadership at the grassroots, was met with some skepticism. However, the assistants proved their worth by enhancing voter education, engaging communities, and ensuring that citizens’ voices were heard—regardless of political affiliation. From Opposition Strongholds to NRM Wins The impact of Assistant RDCs and ARCCs was felt nationwide:︎ Kasese: Once a stronghold of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Kasese recorded more than 80% of votes for NRM across all positions. ︎ Lira City: Traditionally under the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Lira City saw a dramatic swing to NRM, with the party securing over 80% of votes. ︎ Kampala: In the capital, long dominated by the National Unity Platform (NUP), assistants helped bridge the gap between government and residents, resulting in unprecedented NRM support. From Karamoja to Buganda, Acholi to West Nile, assistants’ efforts built trust, fostered dialogue, and strengthened connections between government and communities. Experts say the success of Assistant RDCs and ARCCs was not just in political mobilization but in mentorship and collaborative leadership. Working closely with RDCs and RCCs, assistants trained local leaders to become credible messengers of NRM policies, creating a sense of ownership and trust among communities. This approach improved voter turnout, encouraged citizen engagement, and ensured government programs were implemented effectively and transparently. The 2026 elections demonstrate the power of strategic leadership and grassroots engagement. By empowering Assistant RDCs and ARCCs, the President ensured that leadership extended beyond titles to real, tangible impact on communities. Political analysts note that this model of mentorship, collaboration, and community engagement could serve as a blueprint for future elections and local governance in Uganda. Assistant RDCs and ARCCs have proven to be pivotal in Uganda’s democratic process. Their commitment, teamwork, and focus on the people’s needs helped secure a decisive victory for NRM, reshaped opposition territories, and strengthened local governance. As Uganda moves forward, the role of these unsung heroes will be remembered as a key pillar in the country’s political and democratic development. Source The post NRM’s 2026 Election Triumph: The Unsung Role of Assistant RDCs and ARCCs appeared first on Dokolo Post.