Over 30 UPC stalwarts in Kwania shift to NRM, back Museveni
The defectors were welcomed by President Museveni at the Kwania District Booma grounds. Tom Richard Ocen Agwec, former UPC National Mobiliser for Kwania County, cited the NRM’s achievements as his reason for crossing over.
Over 30 UPC stalwarts in Kwania shift to NRM, back Museveni
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In a significant political shift in the Lango sub-region, Geoffrey Alex Ogwal Adyebo, the Kwania District LCV Chairman and a prominent Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) figure, has publicly pledged his support for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the 2026 general elections.
The announcement came during Museveni’s campaign rally at Aduku town council in Kwania District on Friday, following a spirited rally at Booma grounds in Apac District.
The rally in Kwania marked a notable moment as over 30 former UPC supporters, including key figures, formally defected to the NRM.
The defectors were welcomed by President Museveni at the Kwania District Booma grounds. Tom Richard Ocen Agwec, former UPC National Mobiliser for Kwania County, cited the NRM’s achievements as his reason for crossing over.
“I have witnessed a lot of achievements from the NRM government, from the road sector to wealth creation. I want to be part of NRM’s vision to transform our country from middle-income status to a money economy,” Agwec said.
Julliet Akello from Atongtidi Sub County echoed similar sentiments, expressing frustration with the lack of tangible benefits from her long-time support for UPC.
“I had been supporting UPC, but I gained nothing from it,” she stated, highlighting her decision to join the NRM.
Kwania District NRM Chairperson Nelson Sadam Abili attributed the defections to the party’s visible achievements.
“People can see what the NRM is doing—from infrastructure development to service delivery. Our actions speak louder than words,” he said.
Ogwal’s Pledge, Negotiations with NRM
Ogwal, who recently lost the UPC flag for the Kwania County MP seat to Harriet Ajalo Omara in the party’s primaries, announced his intent to run for Parliament as an independent candidate while pledging his support for Museveni.
“Your Excellency, we are negotiating with Mr Todwong, but I have pledged to support you,” Ogwal said, referring to NRM Secretary General Richard Todwong.
Ogwal commended Museveni for deploying committed civil servants to Kwania, including the Resident District Commissioner (RDC), District Internal Security Officer (DISO), and District Police Commander (DPC).
“Kwania is calm, Your Excellency. I thank you for all the service you have given us, and because of the good service you have done for the country and Kwania specifically, I offer my support for you this time,” he said.
He also appealed to Museveni for infrastructure support, particularly road improvements around the swamps bordering Lake Kwania, and requested the President to officially commission the district’s administration block, whose foundation stone was laid in Museveni’s name.
Todwong confirmed ongoing discussions with Ogwal to bring him fully into the NRM fold. “I can see the joy happening for the alliance between UPC and NRM. More than 30 have crossed, and we are in talks with Chairman Ogwal,” he said.
President Museveni, addressing the rally at 4:14 pm, emphasised the NRM’s 65-year history of fostering unity and development in Uganda.
Reflecting on his early involvement in politics, he criticised the sectarianism of older political parties like UPC, Democratic Party (DP), and Kabaka Yekka, which he said undermined Uganda’s peace and security.
“NRM is a party for all Ugandans. You have made a courageous and right choice to join us, and we are ready to listen to your concerns and work together to address them,” Museveni told the defectors.
Continuing his wealth creation message, Museveni urged the people of Kwania to embrace economic opportunities. “With football, you have sportspeople and spectators, but with wealth creation, everyone must be a player,” he said, encouraging residents to leverage programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM) to escape poverty.
Museveni highlighted the PDM’s impact, noting that each parish receives sh100 million annually, with plans to increase this to sh115 million in the new NRM manifesto to support local leaders.
He also cited success stories, such as Apio from Lira, who transformed her life with a sh1 million PDM loan, and Okello from Amolatar, who earns sh280 million annually from farming.
Infrastructure, Development Promises
Museveni outlined ongoing and planned infrastructure projects in Lango, including the tarmacking of the Soroti–Lira and Kamdini–Lira roads, and improvements to the Rwekunye–Apac–Aduku–Lira–Kitgum–Musingo road.
He also promised to upgrade Akere Health Centre II to Health Centre III, construct a new Health Centre III in Akiki, and provide an ambulance for Maruzi Constituency’s Health Centre IV.
The President attributed the region’s environmental preservation to strong rains, contrasting it with southern Uganda’s weaker rainy season, and urged Lango residents to protect forests and wetlands to prevent desertification.
A Shifting Political Landscape
The defection of Ogwal and over 30 UPC supporters marks a significant political development in Kwania, traditionally an opposition stronghold.
Richard Arikwanag Noon, Kwania’s Resident District Commissioner, revealed that the NRM is rolling out income-generating initiatives to empower new members, ensuring they benefit tangibly from the party’s leadership.