NRM puts united front in Opposition's Tororo political waters

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As the 2026 parliamentary and local government campaigns officially kicked off on November 10th, 2025, countrywide, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Tororo demonstrated a united front, aiming to prevent opposition candidates from gaining traction in the district.

Tororo County North, the only constituency in the district's history that has never elected an MP on the ruling party ticket, having consistently been represented by Opposition figures and independents, but NRM-leaning is now the focus of a spirited effort by the "yellow camp" to "redeem" the county from what they term as "anti-progressive leadership."

A unified team comprising NRM flag-bearers for parliamentary and local government positions, NRM district executive committee members, incumbent Members of Parliament, and key influential figures in the district joined forces to rally support for Tororo County North NRM flag-bearer Simon Nicholas Owino.

PFF's Shadrack Odoi, wearing a blue and white striped shirt and PFF cap, is seen with his supporters at Kidoko, where he launched a door-to-door campaign on Monday, November 10, 2025. (Photo by George Ofwono)

He is facing off against the incumbent Geoffrey Ekanya, who doubles as the FDC party national treasurer, along with Shadrack Odoi (PFF), Jackson Tanga (DF), Simon Peter Ocheing (NUP), and three independents, including former MP Annet Nyaketcho, Joshua Ochom Okongo, and Johnson Obbo.

Owino, who started his parliamentary bid on Monday by traversing the constituency amidst cheering crowds, was joined by Tororo County South MP Fredrick Angura, West Budama North East parliamentary flag-bearer Richard Owere Machika, who also serves as NRM general secretary for Tororo main, Tororo County political district NRM chairperson Godfrey Otheino, and several other NRM officials in the district. Key influential political figures also joined the campaign launch.

His campaign hinges on the slogan of "redeeming our county from the lies of the Opposition." 

As he promises comprehensive transformation through a shift in the constituents' mindset towards embracing commercial farming and socio-economic empowerment to improve their financial standing, improving road connectivity, and elevating health and education standards within the constituency, among other goals.

Addressing the large crowd of supporters at the NRM rally at Apokor P/S play grounds, Merikit S/C, Godfrey Otheino, who was the NRM candidate in 2021 and emerged third with 5,834 votes in a race won by Ekanya of the FDC with 9,674 votes, used his current position as NRM chairperson of the Tororo County NRM political district to urge voters to support Owino for his progressive vision, which he believes will transform and empower the population.

"You overwhelmingly supported me in 2021, but we didn't make it to Parliament. This time, let's give that support, and more, to Nicholas so that he can represent us. This constituency has felt like orphans for over three decades because we have never given the NRMs a chance, those who could tap opportunities and projects for us, but keep sending people who believe change of government is the only way to transformation," Otheino stated.

Otheino continued, emphasising that supporting the NRM for the parliamentary position is the only way for the constituency to unlock its potential for development and improved service delivery.

Fredrick Angura (NRM), the Tororo County South MP, appealed to the voters to ease his burden by electing Owino, who is also NRM. He stated that being the only legislator from Tororo County on the ruling party ticket had been a heavy load, as opposition or independent members elected often struggle to reach the country's leadership ranks to seek support for their electorates.

"My people, kindly get me a helper who can support me with the overwhelming work. Since I entered parliament, I have been working for Tororo County alone to achieve the pockets of services you see coming because you voters here have consistently voted for people who can't reach the serving table. Give me Owino to go and help me push for the betterment of our county," Angura appealed to Tororo County North voters.

The legislator, now seeking a third term to represent Tororo County South, who was seen addressing the public in Dhopadhola for the first time, highlighted his efforts in securing new administrative units in both constituencies, fast-tracking the Tororo district division issue, and surveying areas for the rural electrification program, among other services he deemed fit for development, stating it would be even better with a "yellow" counterpart.

Richard Owere Machika, the West Budama North East flagbearer and NRM General Secretary for Tororo Main, in a show of solidarity for the ruling party, urged voters in Tororo North to reject the opposition if they want to move forward.

"My brothers, do you really think the FDC will at any time get this country's top-most seat, given the current situation?" And upon the crowd responding "No," Machika stated.

"Then you better move out of darkness and embrace the Movement [NRM] because it's here to stay, at least for our lifetime, your grandchildren's lifetime, and for generations to come."

Machika continued, stating that 2026 is the time for Tororo to blend parliamentary representation with youthful energy but retain a few elders as advisors.

"Now that we already have Ofwono Opondo and Minister Hellen Asamo elected unopposed, we only need a few elders like Minister Oboth Oboth in Budama Central, Max Ochai in Budama North, Fredrick Angura in Tororo County South, and Yeri Apollo Ofwono in Tororo Municipality to give us advice, and trust me, we, the age mates, Nicholas Owino here in Tororo County North, Afande George Oketcho in West Budama South, and I (Machika) in Budama North East, will do wonders using the bus." He asserted.

The appeals continued by several NRM loyalists in the district, who urged the voters in the constituency to go yellow this time.

Political analysts suggest this concerted effort by NRM leaders may benefit the ruling party in the constituency to a certain extent, given that voters will now weigh the incumbent's service delivery record against the new hopes being offered by the other contenders.

"Most people in Tororo County were pushed into opposition blindly over the district agitation issues, but that is now in the pipeline. Now the voters are going to look at their road network, health facilities, schools, and what the leadership which has been there have been able to achieve for them, then compare it with what the contenders are telling them. This, in my opinion, I am sure, will give the ruling party candidate a plus against the incumbent because at a personal level he has been with the population before joining politics," former FDC activist Moses Owor Kibang said.

With the current deployment of forces and tactics by the NRM, it remains to be seen whether the 2026 polls will finally give the Yellow camp a chance at governance, or whether Tororo County North will remain blue.

Opposition stand

On the Opposition side, PFF's flag-bearer, Shadrack Odoi, also launched his parliamentary campaign for Tororo County North on Monday. Starting in Kidoko Parish, Mollo Subcounty, He initiated a door-to-door campaign strategy to garner support from voters.

Speaking to New Vision Online at Kidoko trading centre, Odoi expressed his confidence in victory in the January 2026 elections, stating, "It's time for a new dawn for Tororo County North, where the voices of its citizens will be respected."

"Tororo County North needs a leader who will consult and represent their voice in Parliament, not someone who hides and only appears when another election is approaching. That person is me," he continued.

The PFF candidate aims to transform the constituency by focusing on youth empowerment, improving road connectivity, and enhancing health and education services.

Attempts to reach FDC's Geoffrey Ekanya for comment were unsuccessful. He has yet to launch his campaign, and his known contacts were unreachable at the time of this report. The same applies to the other contenders who're yet to kick off their bid.