Kitgum NRM flagbearers delay nominations to coincide with Museveni rally

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All four NRM parliamentary flagbearers in Kitgum district postponed their nominations to Thursday, October 23, 2025, to coincide with President Yoweri Museveni’s campaign rally at the Kitgum District Farm Institute set to be held in the district Thursday.

The flagbearers, Henry Okello Oryem, Beatrice Atim Anywar, Lillian Aber and Simon Peter Oryema Adum, were absent on the first day of nominations, which began nationwide on Wednesday.

Henry Okello Oryem, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, is the NRM flagbearer for Chua East County.

Beatrice Atim Anywar, Minister of State for Water and Environment, is contesting for Kitgum Municipality.

Lillian Aber, Minister of State for Disaster, Relief and Preparedness, is defending her seat as Woman Member of Parliament for Kitgum District.

Meanwhile, Simon Peter Oryema Adum is the NRM flagbearer for Chua West County.

Their decision follows guidance from NRM secretary general Richard Todwong, who advised party flagbearers in Gulu city, Lamwo, and Kitgum to align their nominations with the President’s campaign programme between October 23 and 24.

President Museveni, the NRM party president and presidential candidate, held a rally in Lamwo district on Wednesday.

Several NRM candidates, Johnson Nyeko Kezekiya of Lamwo County, Eng. Hillary Onek Obaloker of Palabek County, and Nancy Achora Odonga, the Lamwo Woman MP, were nominated earlier in the day and later joined the President’s rally at Padibe Town Council.

A similar pattern was observed in Gulu City, where NRM candidates Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, Tonny Kitara, and Joyce Alima Reni were nominated and directed their supporters to Museveni’s rally that began on Wednesday afternoon.

The same approach is expected in Kitgum, where the NRM flagbearers plan to use their nomination day to mobilise supporters for the President’s event.

Independent candidates emerge

While NRM flagbearers prepare for Thursday, several former party members who lost in the primaries have opted to contest as independents.

Among them are John Calvin Okoya of Chua East, who lost to minister Oryem, and Aisah Ann Nagudi Okot and Eng. Allan Akena of Chua West, who were both defeated by Simon Peter Oryema Adum in the NRM primaries.

UPC supporters waiting for their candidates to be nominated. (Photo by Christopher Nyeko)

According to Kitgum district returning officer Betty Atim Owot, the Chua West County race has so far attracted Joseph Okellowange Ogweng (UPC), incumbent Okin Philip Poly Ojara (Independent, formerly FDC), and Ann Aisah Nagudi Okot (Independent).

In Chua East County, John Calvin Okoya (Independent) was nominated and will face minister Oryem Okello (NRM) and Jonathan Onencan (Democratic Front), both expected to be nominated on Thursday.

In Kitgum Municipality, the confirmed nominees are Denis Onekalit Amere (FDC, incumbent), Richard Okello Ramabo (Independent), and Jimmy Olanya Olenge Komakech (UPC).

For the Kitgum Woman MP seat, the nominated candidates include Margaret Lamwaka Odwar (Independent), the current serving MP for Chua East, and Roseline Alanyo Olobo (UPC). Other contenders, including Lillian Aber (NRM), are scheduled for nomination on Thursday.

The Kitgum electoral area has 119,752 registered voters, including 47,673 in Chua East, 43,472 in Chua West, and 28,607 in Kitgum Municipality.

Returning officer Betty Atim Owot said all nominated candidates will attend a harmonisation meeting on Friday, October 24, where they will receive official campaign guidelines and directives.

Meanwhile, campaigning will begin on November 10, 2025, and polling is set for January 15, 2026.

UPC candidates laud Electoral Commission

After their nominations, UPC candidates Joseph Okellowange Ogweng, Roseline Alanyo Olobo, and Jimmy Komakech Olanya Olenge commended the Electoral Commission for what they described as “professional and independent conduct.”

Joseph Okellowange Ogweng in the middle getting nominated by Kitgum Returning officer Betty Atim Owot. (Photo by Christopher Nyeko)

They pledged to promote policy-based politics, focus on livelihood improvement, and safeguard Acholi land from what they called “fraudulent actors within the NRM government.”

At the Electoral Commission offices in Lamdogi cell, Westland A ward, Central division, dozens of supporters gathered outside the gate, waving party flags and singing campaign songs as they waited for their candidates to emerge from the nomination room.