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By Haron Okwir  Otuke, Uganda | The NRM leadership in Otuke District has released a joint campaign schedule, with aspirants for various elective positions agreeing to campaign as a unified team under the guidance of the party’s district office. The decision was reached during a meeting held on Friday, 4th July 2025, at the RDC’s office in Otuke. The meeting brought together aspirants for Member of Parliament (Otuke East and West), District Woman MP, and LCV Chairperson. According to the agreed schedule, the joint campaigns will run from Monday, 7th July to Thursday, 10th July 2025, covering all major sub-counties and town councils within the district. On Monday, the team will campaign in Barjobi Sub-county and Town Council in the morning and move to Okwang Sub-county and Town Council in the afternoon. On Tuesday, they will be in Ogor Sub-county in the morning, followed by Orum Sub-county and Otuke Town Council in the afternoon. On Wednesday, the campaigns will take them to Adwari Sub-county and Okwongo Town Council in the morning, then Adwari Town Council and Alango Sub-county in the afternoon. The final day, Thursday, will cover Ogwete Sub-county in the morning and conclude in Olilim Sub-county and Town Council in the afternoon. Otuke District Registrar Bonny Ouni clarified that after the joint campaign period, candidates will be allowed to meet their agents for organizational purposes. Otuke LCV Chairperson and Otuke East MP aspirant Franchis Abola welcomed the joint campaign approach and proposed that all candidates be issued NRM campaign guidelines to ensure discipline and consistency during the exercise. John Bosco Odongo Obote, former LCV Chairperson and MP aspirant for Otuke West, warned against any attempts to manipulate votes, saying such acts will be met with firm response. Former Woman MP Silvia Akello, who is seeking a comeback after her 2021 defeat, decried threats allegedly made by some Gombolola Internal Security Officers (GISOs) in certain sub-counties. NRM District Administrator Grace Amule urged aspirants to recruit disciplined campaign agents and avoid confrontational behavior, citing incidents from previous elections where threats of violence were reported. Otuke District Internal Security Officer Denis Otim warned candidates against using insults and personal attacks, calling for mutual respect. He noted that Otuke is known for conducting peaceful elections and must maintain that record. SP Boniface Wanyama, the District Police Commander, assured candidates of adequate security during the campaign period. He appealed to them to approach politics with love, respect, and unity as members of the same party. Francis Okwameri, Deputy RDC, condemned the ongoing practice of distributing items to voters, labeling it as electoral bribery. He called for an immediate end to such acts and urged security teams to intervene where necessary. Okwameri also urged all candidates to dedicate part of their messaging to campaigning for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, whom he described as the most impactful leader in Uganda’s history. Source

Lira, Uganda | NRM Youth League Chairperson for Lira City, Brian Yeko Ongora, has launched a youth-led charity initiative dubbed “Team 5K”, aimed at supporting vulnerable groups across Northern Uganda. The initiative, launched at Ngetta Baby’s Home, mobilizes youth to contribute UGX 5,000 each month. With a target of 100 active members, Team 5K expects to raise UGX 500,000 monthly to assist orphans, the sick, prisoners, and other marginalized individuals. Ongora said the drive is about building a culture of giving and proving that meaningful impact does not require wealth or status. He noted that the team’s first outreach focused on Ngetta Baby’s Home, where they donated milk, sugar, bread, diapers, and detergents to support 45 abandoned babies under the age of one. He also used the platform to speak on youth issues including unemployment, gender-based violence, poor mental health, and lack of vocational skills. He called for sanitary pad distribution to keep girls in school and announced plans to form health clubs to educate young people on nutrition and reproductive health. Lira Resident City Commissioner Lawrence Egole, who officiated the launch, commended Ongora for turning words into action. He said youth challenges must be addressed by the youth themselves and accepted to serve as Team 5K’s patron. Sister Demmy Frances, the administrator of Ngetta Baby’s Home, described the donation as timely. She said the home is struggling following the withdrawal of donor support and now relies solely on community goodwill. She raised concerns about lack of a perimeter fence, unpaid utility bills, and feeding costs. She also appealed to Lira City Council for permission to rent out unused structures for income, but Mayor Sam Atul instead advised the home to pursue agriculture for sustainability. Team 5K plans to extend its next outreach to Adina Foundation in August. Source

Otuke, Uganda | Julius Acon, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Otuke East and Chairperson of the NRM in Otuke District, officially launched his campaign for the upcoming NRM primaries scheduled for July 16, 2025. Addressing enthusiastic supporters during his first rally, Acon reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive leadership and grassroots development. He explained that his campaign had been initially planned to commence on July 1, but was delayed due to a lack of financial facilitation from the NRM secretariat. Acon expressed disappointment, noting that while the party had directed candidates to embark on joint campaigns, no support was provided to enable that. He pointed out that fellow contestants like Omara Paul, Abeja Susan, and Richard Omara Awio had already begun their solo campaigns. He acknowledged the words of Omara Paul, who had remarked to him that joint campaigning becomes impractical if one candidate lacks resources, reflecting shared frustration over inadequate party support. Despite these financial constraints, Acon promised to implement impactful initiatives if re-elected. He pledged to support local groups with goats, emphasizing that Otuke’s economy heavily relies on animal rearing. Addressing the issue of war claim compensation, he criticized the current handling process and stressed the need for equitable distribution. He called for an end to data card selling and corruption, asserting that compensation should not benefit only a selected few. He further announced plans to ensure the drilling of a borehole in Alai Ward within July, following the completion of a maternal theatre and a medical training program for healthcare workers at Christina Health Centre. Urging voters to embrace unity and integrity, Acon encouraged them to vote with sincerity if they desired real development. Sam Oweka Iyen, once a critic, declared that Acon was the most prominent leader Otuke East had ever had. He appealed to the people to turn out early on voting day and also requested their support in his own bid for the LCV seat, promising improved coordination for development in the district. Francis Otyama, LC3 of Olilim and also an LCV aspirant, defended Acon in the face of complaints about poor road conditions. He noted that the government had released one billion shillings for roads and highlighted that Otuke already had road construction machinery in place. According to him, Acon had fulfilled his responsibilities regarding road infrastructure. CP Okullo, the NRM Chairperson for Alai, commended Acon’s service but also made fresh appeals for development. He requested the construction of more boreholes and the establishment of a nursery school in Alai. He described Acon as the only leader capable of delivering real development for Otuke East. Atim Joan from Olec Ward praised his inclusive leadership and efforts in distributing seeds to the community. Oriba Denis, a youth football coach, appreciated Acon’s support for youth empowerment through sports and highlighted that the MP responds to calls from all people without discrimination. Lydia Akullu, a tailoring trainee, shared her gratitude for having received vocational training through Acon’s youth empowerment initiative. She appealed to Acon to expand the program to include hairdressing and other trades, stating that such efforts could greatly improve the livelihoods of young people in Otuke. Source

Kole, Uganda | Aculbanya Secondary School in Kole District is battling a worsening water crisis as its student population swells beyond 1,300, leaving only one borehole to serve the entire school community. School authorities say the situation has reached a critical point. The Deputy Headteacher, George Odongo, disclosed that the school had entered into a temporary arrangement with neighbouring Aculbanya Primary School to allow students to access water from their borehole. However, this shared facility is no longer sufficient to meet the growing demand. Odongo made the remarks during a career guidance and counselling session organized by the Aculbanya Secondary School Old Students Association (AOSA). He appealed to government agencies, NGOs, and development partners to support the school in securing an additional water source. He warned that the lack of clean water is not just a health risk but could also impact academic performance if left unaddressed. This is not the first time Aculbanya SS has raised concerns over its infrastructure needs. Last year, Headteacher Chagan Dick cited the lack of proper transportation after the school lost its Tata Lorry to government soldiers in previous years. Although Kole Woman MP Judith Alyek promised to follow up on a government pledge to provide a new school bus, the commitment has yet to materialize. Amidst these challenges, the school continues to receive support from its alumni. AOSA Vice Chairperson Tonny Okello commended the school for allowing old students to engage with learners during mentorship activities. He said the association had donated a new school signpost and pledged continued support to help improve learning conditions. Established in 1982, Aculbanya SS has produced professionals in various sectors and remains one of the prominent education institutions in Kole. The current crisis, however, underscores the urgent need for coordinated intervention to ensure the school can meet its basic operational needs and continue serving the community. School administrators, alumni, and education advocates are now calling on relevant authorities to act swiftly and provide lasting solutions to the water and transport issues facing Aculbanya Secondary School. Source

Kampala, Uganda | In a significant development on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) political landscape, Calvin Echodu has officially been nominated to contest for the position of NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda. The announcement was made earlier today following his successful clearance by the NRM Electoral Commission. Echodu’s nomination signals the start of what political observers are calling a fresh wave of grassroots-centered leadership within the party’s Eastern bloc. Following his nomination, Echodu expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming support he has received, particularly from rural communities across the region. He stated that the journey ahead is not about him as an individual but about ushering in action-oriented leadership that listens, responds, and delivers to the people. He reaffirmed his readiness for the race, adding that Eastern Uganda deserves focused and transformative leadership. Echodu also commended President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, the NRM National Chairperson, for once again offering himself to lead both the party and the country. He described the President as a symbol of unwavering commitment to national service and urged all NRM members and patriots to rally behind the broader agenda of national progress. He underscored the importance of teamwork and collective effort, referencing Helen Keller’s famous words that “alone we can do so little; together we can do so much” to illustrate the spirit of unity that defines his campaign message. With strong support from party members and a clear, community-driven vision, Calvin Echodu’s nomination is being seen as the start of a new chapter for Eastern Uganda. Source

Dokolo, Uganda | The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party in Dokolo District has distanced itself from a forged party membership card circulating on social media bearing the name and photo of Joseph Jones Ogwal Omara, a leading aspirant in the upcoming NRM party primaries for Dokolo North County. Olwal Francis, the UPC branch administrator in Dokolo, dismissed the document as political propaganda aimed at tarnishing Ogwal Omara’s reputation. He explained that after thoroughly checking the party’s official register, he found no record of Ogwal Omara’s name and confirmed that Ogwal has never been a UPC member nor visited the party’s office in Dokolo. Olwal further warned those spreading the fake card to stop immediately, stating that continued circulation could result in legal consequences. The controversy surrounds a forged UPC membership card dated March 24, 2025, which falsely claims that Ogwal Omara renewed his membership with the opposition party. Such a claim, if believed, would cast doubt on his credibility as a candidate under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party. Ogwal Omara has dismissed the card as a deliberate fabrication aimed at damaging his political image. According to his legal team, the forged card is allegedly the work of Ecar Calvin, the driver of incumbent MP Moses Ogwal Goli. They claim Calvin is responsible for creating and distributing the document as part of a calculated smear campaign. Legal proceedings have since been initiated under Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act, with charges including digital forgery, cyber defamation, and malicious communication. Ogwal Omara has reiterated his unwavering loyalty to the NRM, asserting that he obtained his nomination forms through the official party secretariat and remains committed to serving the people of Dokolo North. He also reported that his campaign team and supporters have been facing acts of intimidation tactics he believes are designed to derail his political momentum. In response to the growing tension, the NRM District Executive Committee (DEC) in Dokolo, led by Geoffrey Opio Ekong, held an emergency meeting on Monday. The committee condemned all forms of political intimidation and urged for calm, unity, and a peaceful primary process. Political observers note that Ogwal Omara’s decision to pursue legal action signals his rising influence in Dokolo North and his resolve to uphold integrity within the NRM’s internal electoral process. Source

Serere, Uganda | State Minister for Fisheries and incumbent Serere District Woman MP, Hellen Adoa, has officially launched her re-election campaign, unveiling a grassroots-driven strategy dubbed “Village to Village” as she seeks to reclaim the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag ahead of the party primaries. The campaign kickoff, which took place across several villages in Bugondo Sub-county on Tuesday, attracted a large turnout of supporters, local leaders, and party mobilizers. Adoa emphasized that her new strategy is tailored to directly engage with ordinary citizens and address community-specific challenges. She said the “Village to Village” campaign is about listening to the people and working with them to develop the district. She added that it is a campaign rooted in unity, peace, and development, and that Serere must remain firmly in the hands of the NRM. The move signals the start of what is anticipated to be a tight race for the NRM ticket in Serere District, with Adoa facing off against two challengers Esther Lucy Acom and Florence Iyogil both of whom have expressed determination to unseat her. Political observers say the contest could test party unity and cohesion in a district that has remained largely loyal to the NRM. Adoa, who has represented Serere District since 2016 and retained her cabinet role as State Minister for Fisheries, is relying on her development track record, access to national leadership, and long-standing presence in the constituency to secure another term. During her address, she outlined key achievements from her tenure, including lobbying for improved healthcare infrastructure, education initiatives, and fisheries and agricultural support programs. She said she is proud of what they have achieved together, citing improvements in health facilities, support to farmers with training and programs, and efforts to empower women and youth. Her “Village to Village” model aligns with a growing trend in Uganda’s political landscape where candidates prioritize intimate, door-to-door engagements over large-scale rallies. The approach aims to create meaningful interactions with voters at the grassroots level. She noted that the strategy is intended to ensure no village is left behind, adding that people want to see and talk to their leaders, ask questions, and feel part of the process. Supporters describe her as accessible and well-acquainted with the local communities. Peter Emuron, an NRM mobilizer in Bugondo, said Adoa has always been approachable. He added that they know her, she knows their villages, and she has been their voice in Kampala. However, her rivals have not shied away from criticism. Esther Lucy Acom has accused Adoa of sidelining certain areas and promised a leadership approach centered on accountability, job creation, and education. Speaking during a mobilization event in Kyere Sub-county, Acom said the people need leaders who are accountable and vowed to serve the people, not enrich herself. Florence Iyogil, the other contender, has focused on fostering unity within the party, warning that internal wrangles could weaken NRM’s standing in the general election. In a recent radio interview, she emphasized the importance of peaceful competition and urged NRM members to remember that they are one party. She said the people will choose their leader, but members must remain united after the primaries. Serere District NRM Chairperson, Michael Olobo, welcomed the launch of formal campaigns but warned aspirants against acts of indiscipline. He stated that NRM stands for peace, democracy, and development, and emphasized the need for a fair and transparent primary process. He also warned that any candidate inciting violence or bribing voters would face disqualification by the party’s electoral commission. Adoa also used the occasion to appeal for calm and civility among her supporters. She reminded them that Serere is one family and described the competition as healthy. She called on her supporters to conduct a peaceful campaign and show the rest of Uganda that Serere can campaign without fighting or the use of bad language. The NRM primaries are expected to be a litmus test for Adoa’s popularity and the strength of her grassroots network as the battle for the party flag intensifies in Serere. Source

By Haron Okwir Otuke, Uganda | The leadership of Otuke District has issued a firm warning to implementers of the Parish Development Model (PDM), cautioning them against extorting money from beneficiaries and engaging in favoritism that could derail the purpose of the government’s flagship poverty alleviation program. This call was made during a PDM stakeholders’ meeting held on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at the Otuke District Council Hall. The meeting brought together key players in the program’s execution, including Community Development Officers (CDOs), Sub-County and Parish Chiefs, Town Agents, Extension Workers, IT staff, and pillar heads. The Otuke District Chairperson, Francis Abola, who is also eyeing the Otuke East parliamentary seat, expressed concern over reports indicating that some PDM leaders in various sub-counties were allegedly demanding money from beneficiaries in exchange for access to the program funds. He issued a strong warning, stating that such acts would not be tolerated under his watch. Abola also pointed out that complaints had emerged regarding favoritism, with some officers allegedly prioritizing their relatives over other deserving members of the community. He emphasized that the program was designed to benefit all qualifying citizens equally, not just those with personal ties to local leaders. The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of Otuke, Lomongin Joseph, addressed the issue of underperformance and growing demands for facilitation among PDM officers. He noted that many officers were failing to play their roles effectively, and the district would soon adopt a performance-based facilitation approach rewarding only those who deliver results. Meanwhile, the District IT Officer, Tonny Ogwang Okwir, highlighted significant operational challenges hampering the smooth implementation of PDM. He cited poor network connectivity and data inconsistencies, including incorrect National Identification Numbers (NINs), wrong phone contacts, and frequent cases of beneficiaries forgetting their passwords. He also lamented the lack of facilitation for key staff such as Parish Chiefs, CDOs, the District Focal Person, and his own department. Tonny further criticized some Parish Chiefs and Town Agents for their lack of computer skills, revealing that many of them often seek help from his office for basic data entry tasks. He called for urgent digital capacity building to address this gap. The District PDM Focal Point Person, Charles Opio, gave a progress update indicating that, as of June 30, 2025, a total of UGX 16,056,600,000 had been injected into PDM SACCOs in Otuke, and UGX 13,453,000,000 had already been disbursed to 13,453 beneficiaries. He noted, however, that several implementation bottlenecks still needed to be addressed. One such challenge was raised by Ocan Alex, the Town Agent of Acoke Ward in Okwongo Town Council. He reported that field officers were facing persistent issues from community members, including frequent requests to change contacts, inconsistencies in ages, and other complications that were slowing down service delivery. Source

Dokolo, Uganda | Leading NRM aspirant for Dokolo North, Joseph Jones Ogwal Omara, has announced legal action against Ecir Calvin, driver to incumbent MP Moses Ogwal Goli, over the circulation of a forged Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) membership card bearing Ogwal’s name. The card, dated March 24, 2025, alleges that Ogwal Omara renewed his membership with the opposition UPC while simultaneously preparing to contest on the ruling NRM ticket. Ogwal Omara has firmly rejected the document as a fabricated forgery designed to damage his political reputation. According to Ogwal Omara’s legal team, Ecir Calvin is responsible for digitally creating and spreading the false card as part of a smear campaign aimed at undermining his campaign. Ogwal Omara is filing a case under Uganda’s Computer Misuse Act, accusing Calvin of digital forgery, cyber defamation, and malicious communication. Ogwal Omara revealed that his campaign coordinators and supporters have also faced intimidation in recent days tactics he believes are attempts to frustrate his bid to become the next NRM flag bearer in Dokolo North. Despite the attacks, Ogwal Omara reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to the NRM, emphasizing that he legally obtained nomination forms from the party secretariat and remains committed to serving his constituents. The NRM District Executive Committee (DEC) of Dokolo, chaired by Geoffrey Opio Ekong, convened an emergency meeting condemning both political intimidation and forgery, calling for calm and unity ahead of the party primaries. Political observers say the legal move highlights Ogwal Omara’s rising influence and determination to uphold integrity in the electoral process. Source

Dokolo, Uganda | Joseph Jones Ogwal Omara, a leading contender for the NRM party flag in Dokolo North Constituency, has criticized the incumbent Member of Parliament for allegedly prioritizing alcohol for youth instead of addressing urgent development needs in the region. JOIN ASUL NOW! While addressing hundreds of supporters at Myro Angwen Ward in Agwata Town Council, Ogwal Omara expressed concern that while communities across Dokolo continue to suffer from poor health services, limited access to clean water, and rampant youth unemployment, the sitting MP was reportedly using his resources to promote alcohol consumption among young people. He stated that such behaviour did not reflect true leadership and stressed the need for a shift in priorities toward meaningful development. He also alleged that some of his rivals in the NRM race were resorting to intimidation tactics against his supporters out of fear of losing in the upcoming primaries. Despite this, Ogwal Omara expressed confidence in winning the July 16 vote and pledged to partner closely with Dokolo District NRM Chairperson Geoffrey Opio Ekong to rebuild the party and restore its integrity. His comments were met with loud support from voters, many of whom described him as a unifying figure and a symbol of hope. Support for Ogwal Omara has surged across the constituency, particularly outside Agwata Subcounty, where his rivals had traditionally enjoyed strong backing. Several voters reported that some of Ogwal Omara’s supporters had rejected a UGX 1 million bribe allegedly offered by a rival candidate, viewing the incident as evidence that Dokolo residents were now more focused on integrity and transformation rather than short-term gains. Odyek Denis, the NRM Vice Chairperson for Agwata Town Council, welcomed Ogwal Omara and encouraged the voters to support him, describing him as the most capable candidate to deliver change and progress in Dokolo North. Okwany Robert, a resident of Amwoma Subcounty, explained that the main reason for the day’s event was to officially introduce Ogwal Omara to the people. He said that out of the four candidates seeking the party ticket, Ogwal Omara possessed the strongest leadership qualities and the deepest concern for the welfare of the people. He observed that Dokolo had previously elected leaders who often forgot about the people after securing their positions. He called upon voters to reflect carefully and choose a candidate who is genuinely passionate about serving the community. Evaline Ocen, the NRM Women’s League Chairperson for Agwata Town Council, lamented what she saw as a series of internal challenges within the NRM party in Dokolo. She pointed to divisions, political sabotage, and the election of underperforming leaders as key reasons for the district’s persistent poverty and stagnation. She also criticized some candidates for using threats during the election period despite having no track record of delivery. She urged voters to reject such leaders, likening the incumbent MP to someone who had just been awakened from deep sleep using cold water. Tonny Oboko Ario from Adok Subcounty remarked that many people were taking this election seriously because they were eager for a new era under the NRM. He argued that the current and previous MPs from Agwata Subcounty had failed to deliver on their promises and called on the electorate to consider supporting a candidate from a different subcounty, such as Ogwal Omara, who could offer a fresh approach and better results. Ogwal Omara’s recent contributions to the constituency have strengthened his grassroots appeal. He donated 50 bags of cement and cash to Agwata Catholic Parish, supported youth and boda boda football teams with full sports kits, and provided financial assistance to churches and local groups. In Acoto Ward, he recently funded the purchase of a public address system with UGX 1 million and made a similar donation to a development group in Myro Angwen. His campaign manifesto prioritizes education, healthcare, vocational skills training for youth, support to women-led SACCOs, rural electrification, and clean, safe water access in every village. Following the rally in Miro Angwen, Ogwal Omara proceeded to Acoto Ward, where residents also turned out in large numbers to show support. Many expressed their disappointment with the incumbent, accusing him of neglecting his duties and abandoning the majority of the population in favour of a select few. Source