Voters' choice of MPs in Acholi, Lango, Westnile

The Vision Group research team conducted an opinion poll between March and May, 2025, covering 6,006 Ugandans across 58 districts and all 17 sub-regions. 

It was conducted in order to make an assessment of the public’s perception of the forthcoming general election. 

Respondents were asked an open-ended question: “Who do you think should be this area’s next MP?” The names mentioned in the poll were proposed by the respondents. 
This explains why some candidates who are not necessarily contenders in a particular constituency, may appear in some other random electoral areas. 

After years of conflict and insurgency, northern Uganda, political analysts said, has emerged from the rubble. 

Although the region has been a stronghold of the Opposition, analysts noted that the political dynamics have since changed, with voters embracing peace, unity and development. 

Moses Ali

Defections involving large numbers of people both at the grassroots and national level to the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party, are a recurring phenomenon. 

In March 2025, opposition leaders in northern Uganda agreed to put their difference aside and work together with President Yoweri Museveni to tackle poverty and drive socio-economic transformation in the region. 

The opposition leaders led by Okin Ojara, the Member of Parliament for Chua West County and a member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) while presenting their memorandum to the President at State House Entebbe, emphasised their commitment to putting aside political differences and working collectively for the betterment of Acholi region. 

“We asked ourselves tough questions: Why are we in the Opposition? Should we remain in opposition while our people continue to suffer? How long should we stay in opposition when Acholi is one of the poorest regions in the country? Are we leading our people to poverty or prosperity?” Ojara asked. 

The defection of three opposition bigwigs in the region to NRM affirms the presence of the fresh political wind blowing in the region. 

Jimmy Akena

They include Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), Kilak North MP Akol Anthony; Bardege-Layibi Division MP Martin Mapenduzi Ojara from FDC while Gulu LC5 chairman to MP Independent, but National Unity Platform-leaning and Jonam County MP Emmanuel Ongiertho, sealed the fate of the Opposition in the region. 

With the road to 2026 starting to bend, voters said, it is now only Kilak South MP Gilbert Olanya and Gulu City Woman MP Betty Aol Ochan, who have remained in the Opposition as the rest of the ex-opposition MPs flock to the NRM en masse. 

According to the Electoral Commission (EC) roadmap, Ugandans will elect their political representatives between January 12 and February 9, 2026. 

Campaigns are expected to kick off in September, 2025 and end in early January, 2026. But what are the people’s choices for MP in Acholi, Lango and West Nile?

Agago West 

Here, 61.5% of the sampled voters said they would vote for the incumbent, Ricky Anywar. He was followed by James Onying with 23.1% and Dickens Oyaka at 5.1%. 

MP Ricky Richard Anywar

Agago North 

In Agago North, 54.5% of the sampled voters said they would support the incumbent MP John Amos Okot (NRM). They said he has made significant contributions to the development of the community. 

He was followed by Prof. Moris Ogenga Latigo with 22.7% and Walter Oketa Ogwang at 18.2%. 

Prof. Latigo is supported for having adequate leadership experience. Latigo has, however, not declared any plans to contest for the position. 

Aswa County 

Aswa County, 68.6% of the voters chose Simon Peter Wokorach (NRM) as their area MP if the elections were held today. 

The voters said Wokorach, the incumbent, has contributed to socio-economic development of the area. Voters also proposed Patrick Okello (18.6%), former MP Reagan Okumu (5.7%) and Ray Otti (4.3%). 

Bardege-Layibi Divion 

Here, 57.1% of the sampled respondents said they would vote for the incumbent MP Martin Mapenduzi. They said he is an “efficient” and “exemplary” leader. 

Mapenduzi, previously served as the LC5 chairperson for Gulu district. The former Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) politician has since joined NRM ahead of his 2026 parliamentary bid for the same constituency. 

A total of 14.3% of the sampled respondents said they would vote for the former Gulu municipality MP, Lyandro Komakech, the commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) reserve forces, Lt. Gen. Charles Otema Awany and Oryema Awany respectively. 

Dickens Peter Okwir, a former street child in Gulu city, said: “He gives attention and listens to people. Mapenduzi is a passionate leader who supports 500 street kids in Gulu municipality. Mapenduzi was born a leader and deserves to be my MP in the next election.”

Chua West 

In Chwa West, 52.9% of the sampled respondents said they would vote the incumbent Philip Polly Okin Ojara if elections were to be held today. They described Ojara as an exemplary leader, who has made significant contributions to the socio-economic transformation of the area. He is followed by Allan Akena at 17.6%. 

Kitgum Municipality 

In Kitgum municipality, 57.1% of the sampled voters said they would voter the state minister for environment and former district woman MP Beatrice Atim Anywar. 

Asked why they prefer the former FDC stalwart who crossed to NRM, voters said she is accountable and transparent. Anywar is followed by the incumbent MP, Denis Oneka Amere Lit of FDC at 35.7%. Amere Lit defeated the state minister for environment in the 2021 general polls. 

The two politicians are set for another showdown in 2026. John Bosco Ojok, a bodaboda rider in Kitgum municipality said Anywar, who crossed from FDC to NRM, is a “trusted environment advocate” who has put Kitgum on the national map. 

“She led the protests against the proposed giveaway of Mabira Forest to investors. I hope you remember that. If we are serious about protecting our environment and tackling climate change, then Kitgum municipality needs her voice in Parliament again.”

Tochi County  

In Tochi county, 57.1% of the sampled voters said they would vote the incumbent Peter Okot. Voters said they prefer the Democratic Party (DP) strongman, Okot, because of his contribution to socio-economic development in the area. 

He is followed by local businessman, Francis Obutu with 14.3%.

Dokolo North

In Dokolo North, 46.9% of the sampled respondents said they would vote the incumbent Moses Goli Ogwal in 2026.

He is followed by former area MP and Uganda High Commissioner to South Africa, Paul Amoru and Francis Ojok at 15.6% respectively. 

Dokolo South  

Here, 80.6% of the sampled voters said they would elect the incumbent, Felix Okot Ogong, if elections were held today. He is followed by Vincent Opito (8.3%) and Godi Ogwal (5.6%). 

Peter Odongo, a voter in the area, said Ogong, who has been MP since 1996, is their best choice. “We have witnessed a lot of development and his next plan is to transform the lives of people,” Odongo said. 

Kole North 

In Kole North, 81.3% of the sampled voters said they would vote the incumbent Samuel Opio Acuti if elections were to be held today. He is followed by Boniface Okot (9.4%), Sam Black Okello (3.1%) and the Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua (3.1%). 

Kole South  

For Kole South, 65.6% of the sampled voters said they would vote the incumbent Peter Ocen Akalo. He was followed by Boniface Okot with 21.9%. 

Erute North  

Here, 51% of the sampled voters said they would vote for the area engineer, Paul Ogwal. He is followed by the incumbent, Christine Akello Gwokadako of NRM at 32%.

Erute South 

In Erute South, 63% of the sampled voters said that they would vote the incumbent, Jonathan Odur of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC). He is followed by former minister and ex-area MP, Sam Engola. 

Lira City East 

In Lira City East, James Ocen leads with 69.6% of the sampled voters saying they would vote for him if elections were held today. He is followed by UPC’s Jimmy Akena, the incumbent MP, with 17.4%. Akena has already declared intention to contest for President, saying that he will not contest again as MP for the area. 

Jimmy Akena, Lira Municipality MP

Nelson Okello, the LC1 chairperson of Boke cell, said in the previous election Ocen got 7, 300 votes and there is possibility of securing more votes since Akena is not contesting. “We see him as the right person to replace Akena because of his support to the community,” he said. 

Lira City West  

Sampled respondents in Lira City West said they would vote for Obong Eyit as their next area MP. He is followed by the health minister, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, who is also the Lira City Woman MP, at 18.4%. The incumbent MP is Vincent Shedrick Obong. 

Jane Ruth Aceng

Adjumani East 

James Mamawi, the incumbent was the most preferred candidate in the area with 53.7% of the voters sampled. He is followed by Daniel Anyama with 22.2%. Voters said Mamawi has led by example. 

Adjumani West 

Here, 78.9% of the sampled respondents said they would return the Third Deputy Prime Minister, Gen. Moses Ali to Parliament in 2026. Sampled voters said Ali is a committed leader with special political skills.

He is followed by Ben Anyama with 10.5%. Voters also mentioned James Leku (5.3%) and Nickson Owale (5.3%). 

Arua Central Division 

In Arua Central Division constituency, 64.7% of the sampled respondents said they would vote the incumbent Jackson Atima Lee Buti of NRM. He is followed by Ronald Debo and former area MP Kassiano Wadri at 11.8% respectively. 

Koboko County 

In Koboko County, 83.3% of the sampled respondents said they would vote for Charles Ayume. Ayume, the son of the late former speaker of Parliament, Francis Ayume, as MP for Koboko Municipality. On the other hand, 8.3% of the sampled voters said they would vote incumbent and former minister James Baba Baliba. 

Voters take thier pick 

Ayiivu East 

In Ayivu East Division, 41.4% of the sampled voters said they would vote for Geoffrey Feta, the incumbent, if elections were held today. He is followed by former MP John Lematia with 20.7%. 

Geofrey Feta

Koboko North 

Here, 42.9% of the sampled respondents also said they would vote for Charles Ayume. He is followed by James Baba at 14.3%. 

Maracha County 

In Maracha County, 87.5% of the sampled respondents said they would vote for Moses Obeta. He is followed by the incumbent MP Oguzu Lee of FDC with 12.5%. 

Maracha East 

Here, 32.1% of the sampled respondents said they would vote for Ruth Molly Lematia. She is followed by Justus Aduma Yerro with 17.9%. 

MP Lematia Ruth Molly Ondoru

Nebbi Municipality 

Within Nebbi Municipality, 75% of the sampled respondents said they would vote for the incumbent, Hassim Sulaiman as their MP in 2026. Sulaiman is followed by Patrick Jalacida Osaga, Berochan Okoralal and Jonam County MP, Emmanuel Ongiertho at 6.3% respectively.

Padyere County 

The incumbent Isaac Otimigiw leads in Padyere County, Nebbi with 63.3% of the sampled voters saying they would return him to Parliament. He is followed by the Nebbi Municipality MP Hassim Sulaiman with 16.7% and Joshua Anywarach at 6.7%.

Agago County 

In Agago County, 58.8% of the sampled respondents said they would vote Ricky Anywar of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM). Anywar is the MP for neighbouring Agago West constituency.

The voters said Anywar is development-oriented, has efficient leadership skills and has significantly contributed towards social service delivery. He was followed by Kenneth Opoka with (17.6%) and the former leader of opposition Morris Ogenga Latigo with 11.8%.

None of the sampled respondents cited the incumbent, David Lagen of NRM. Richard Ricky Anywar Andrew Ojok. 

Omoro County 

In Omoro constituency, 53.3% of the sampled voters said they would vote for current area MP Andrew Ojok Oulanyah. He is the son of the late speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah. 

Andrew Ojok

Ojok joined Parliament in May 2022 through a byelection after the death of Oulanyah. Asked why they support the incumbent, voters said he has showcased effective leadership skills. 

Ojok is followed by Andrew Olal P’Obong with 33.3%. Voters said P’Obong is a humble and accountable leader. Voters also cited Julius Opira (4.4%), Simon Tolit (4.4%). Tolit, a former MP for the area, died in 2023.

How the survey was conducted 

The poll was conducted by Vision Group’s research team between March and May, 2025, covering a sample size of 6,006 Ugandans countrywide. To ensure national representation, the Vision Group research team sampled eligible Ugandan voters from across 58 districts. Only citizens possessing a valid national identity card and aged 18 years and above were sampled. 

The survey covered all 17 sub-regions of Uganda. The respondents were randomly sampled from both rural and urban areas. 

Of the total respondents, a total of 2,433 were from urban areas while 3,573 respondents were picked from rural areas. 

According to the survey, the majority of the respondents were between the age of 25 and 29 years (1,201) and 30 and 34 years (1,058). Only 19 of the total sampled respondents refused to respond to the questions. 

New Vision editor-in-chief Barbara Kaija explained that the Citizens Manifesto is a compilation of Ugandan views collected by a team of professional researchers ahead of the national election. On the credibility of the survey, Kaija said: “This is a scientific survey and it was not influenced by anybody, not even the Government is informed when we are doing this research. 

“Any other researcher is free to do their research for comparison. I am very confident of the results because in the past, similar surveys done by New Vision have not been so different from the final election results.” 

The Vision Group research department has long experience in carrying out market research and opinion polling. 

An opinion poll, often referred to as a survey or a poll, is a human research survey of public opinion from a particular sample.