Namayingo LC5 chairperson unopposed after rival withdrawals from race

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The race for the Namayingo district chairperson seat has taken a dramatic turn after incumbent Ronald Sanya's only challenger, Peter Patrick Ochieng, officially withdrew from the race.

The withdrawal was announced by the Namayingo district National Resistance Movement (NRM) party chairperson, Raymond Mukisa, during the presidential campaign rally in Namayingo on November 19, 2025.

“For the last two days, we have been reconciling our brothers. One has stepped down for the LC5 seat to be assigned a different assignment,” Mukisa said.

This means the district will not hold a competitive vote for the LC5 seat as the law automatically confirms the remaining candidate as the winner.

Ochieng is a former Bukhooli South Member of Parliament, having served two five-year terms. He served in the position between 2001 and 2011, when Namayingo was still part of Bugiri district.

No one has pressured me

When contacted, Ochieng dismissed claims that he was pressured to withdraw from the race. He said that his decision was based on reflection, dialogue and broader interests of the community.

“No one has pressured me to withdraw from the race. There were discussions, consultations and commitments made. I listened to my colleagues because at the end of the day, all we want is the development of our community,” Ochieng said.

He noted that the NRM party primaries elections were held in July 2025, revealed divisions and irregularities which signalled a tough political season ahead.

Ochieng emphasised that stepping out of the race does not mean he has betrayed the people of Namayingo. Instead, he said, his track record speaks for itself.

“I have not betrayed my people. I am not a stranger in this community. I have given it (community) my all. After completing school, I only worked for two years before dedicating myself fully to serving my people,” he said.

Ochieng drew a biblical analogy of King Solomon and the two women fighting over a child. He said Solomon’s wisdom in identifying the true mother by proposing that the child be split teaches that sometimes stepping back preserves the greater good.

“We have one community. If we keep fighting, we risk destroying what we are trying to build. Like the woman who chose the child’s life over her own interests, we must protect Namayingo,” Ochieng said.

Ochieng said that he and the incumbent chairperson were united by both origin and purpose, and there was no reason they could not come together for the greater good.

“We are all children of the same parish, the same sub-county and the district. There is no problem. All we ask is to be given an ear to have our ideas and opinions considered,” he said.

He reiterated that his aspiration has never been holding the LC5 chairperson seat, but about service delivery and ensuring the district progresses.

Sanya will be serving his third term as the district LC5 chairperson, but it will be his first time holding the seat as the NRM flag-bearer. He was first elected in 2016 and will hold the office until 2031.