Rivals trade handshakes as prayers replace politics at Soroti breakfast meeting

SOROTI - In a political environment often tainted by hostility and confrontation, a different tone emerged on Tuesday morning at Soroti Hotel in Soroti city, where rival politicians set aside their differences and jovially greeted one another during a joint breakfast prayer meeting.

The prayers, organised by Pentecostal bishops under the House of Prayers umbrella in Teso, were intended to dedicate the new year into the hands of God and to bless candidates contesting for various political positions ahead of the January 15, 2026.

Many of the hundreds of Christians in attendance were surprised by the sight of rival candidates warmly greeting one another, smiling and posing for photographs, a rare occurrence in Uganda’s typically heated political climate.

One of the most closely watched races in Soroti city is in East Division, where the ruling National Resistance Movement candidate, Isaac Orego, is contesting against Forum for Democratic Change flag bearer Moses Okia Attan and independent candidate Rodney Mukula, the son of Capt. Mike Mukula, the former NRM vice chairperson for eastern Uganda.

The contest has drawn particular attention because the seat was previously held by Attan, whose term was cut short following a High Court ruling over an electoral boundary dispute.

Despite their political rivalry, the three candidates exchanged greetings at the prayer meeting, signalling a rare moment of civility in an otherwise competitive race.

Attan described himself as “David in the Bible,” saying he believes he is destined to reclaim the seat he lost in 2021.

“The people of Soroti City East have already made their choice,” Attan said. “My victory was wrongly taken away by ungodly actions, but I am confident that God will restore what was lost.”

Orego said he attended the prayers to seek divine guidance and blessings for his campaign, adding that he believes he is the preferred choice of the electorate.

Bishop Israel Tukei and other religious leaders in Teso during prayer. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)

“I am a new entrant in elective politics in the city, but all the indicators show that the voters are settling for me,” Orego said. “That is why I have come to seek final blessings from the men of God.”

Independent candidate Rodney Mukula called for peaceful politics, saying political competition should not turn leaders into enemies.

“Politics should never make us enemies,” Mukula said. “We remain sons and daughters of Teso.”

The national vice chairperson for eastern region, David Calvin Echodu, who is contesting for Soroti West Division, used the platform to call for unity among the people of Teso, saying disunity has been one of the region’s biggest obstacles to development.

“One of the mysteries the enemy keeps from us and which has held us back as a people is lack of unity for a common purpose,” Echodu said.

Pentecostal Bishop from Nigeria, Dr Steve Ogan, called on aspiring leaders in Uganda to be truthful and honest with the people whose votes they are seeking.

Uganda goes to the polls in nine days to elect the president and members of parliament.
Bishop Israel Tukei said the purpose of the prayers was to dedicate Teso and its leaders into the hands of God ahead of the elections.

The event attracted politicians, civil society leaders, cultural leaders and members of the business community.

The Iteso cultural leader, Emorimor Paul Sande Emolot, called for peaceful campaigns and urged the public to desist from violence, noting that violence has already claimed lives, including an incident that occurred in Orungo County on New Year’s Day.

The prayer meeting ended with renewed calls for peaceful campaigns and a violence-free election period, with religious leaders urging candidates and voters to place national unity above political competition.