Lango NRM leaders seek more funds to counter opposition in LC elections

__________________

National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders in the Lango sub-region have appealed to party national chairperson President Yoweri Museveni to increase financial facilitation for candidates ahead of the forthcoming Local Council elections.

The call was made during a regional meeting organised by the party secretariat to strategise on how to secure victory in the grassroots elections. The leaders argued that the current funding is insufficient to effectively compete against the opposition, particularly the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), which they described as dominant in the region.

Lango Parliamentary Group chairperson and Oyam South MP, Patrick Ogwang Obura speaking at the NRM regional leaders meeting at ST. Lira Hotel. (Photo by Joseph Ekol)

The party secretariat has allocated sh50,000 to LC1 flag bearers, sh10,000 to each Women Council candidate at village level, sh1.4m to facilitate village barazas and sh300,000 to district party chairpersons to distribute among the respective candidates.

Patrick Ogwang Obura, the Oyam South Member of Parliament and Lango Parliamentary Group chairperson, said the sub-region is considered a political hotspot because of the strong presence of UPC, requiring increased financial support for NRM candidates.

He proposed that the facilitation for LC1 candidates be increased to at least sh100,000 or more to enable them to effectively campaign and win the elections.

“If NRM government is to deliver, then we need many of our candidates to win these LC positions, and they will be able to mobilise the masses to embrace the government programs and will complement oversight roles as the MPs,” Ogwang Obura explained.

Felix Adupa Ongwec, the NRM flag bearer for Kyoga County in Amolatar, said opposition UPC candidates were receiving significant financial support from MPs who had recently been elected, putting ruling party candidates at risk of losing several positions if they are not adequately facilitated.

Adupa said areas such as the Buganda sub-region, which are considered National Unity Platform (NUP) strongholds, receive sh100,000 for LC1 flag bearers, arguing that Lango, where UPC has a strong presence, deserves similar attention.

NRM vice chairperson for northern Uganda, Hamson Obua, called for unity among party members, warning that internal disagreements could give the opposition an advantage in the LC1, LC2 and Women Council elections.

Lango NRM leaders in a planning meeting at St. Lira Hotel. (Photo by Joseph Ekol)

Obua urged leaders to make proper use of the available resources and avoid mismanagement as they seek additional funding to supplement what has already been provided.

Disaster preparedness and refugees minister, Sam Engola, who attended the meeting, urged party leaders to resolve disagreements among candidates to reduce unnecessary competition and increase NRM's chances of winning more positions.

He also appealed to MPs and LC5 chairpersons who emerged victorious in the recent elections to support lower local council candidates financially to supplement the party's allocation.

The meeting, held on July 19, 2026, was attended by MPs, LC5 flag bearers, district executive committee chairpersons, party registrars, administrative secretaries and security officials.