The National Resistance Movement (NRM) has endorsed Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, the son of the late Jacob Oulanyah as flag bearer for the Omoro MP seat ahead of the by-elections.
The decision was reached upon following a meeting between President Yoweri Museveni, who is also the National Chairman of the NRM and Omoro leaders on Tuesday evening.
The meeting took place at Museveni’s country home in Rwakitura, Kiruhura district.
It was organised by the NRM secretariat led by Richard Todwong, the secretary general, and it was well attended by the aspirants, cultural, religious and opinion leaders.
Sources that attended the meeting told Nile Post that all the other four aspirants from the NRM agreed to step down in favour of the late Oulanyah's son, leaving him unopposed in the party.
"During the meeting, all the five aspirants were given an opportunity to sell their candidature to the leaders who attended. They included, Ojok Andrew Oulanyah, Okello Douglas Peter (current LCV chairperson), Olal Obong, Acellam Ben, and Okello Francis,” party sources said.
President Museveni, according to party sources, commended the four aspirants for putting the party first before self and agreeing to step aside for a smooth process.
"I am happy to hear from you yourself. You can come and compete with the boy in 2026 if he doesn’t perform. So am very glad to hear this, thank you," Museveni said.
The president commended leaders from Omoro district for mediating the aspirants and also thanked the aspirants for listening to their leaders.
"If Oulanyah had not died, we would not have elections in that area until 2026. So I think the decent thing to do is to support his son to complete the father’s term," Museveni said.
The NRM chairman said that it is a matter of decency but also avoiding wastage of time. He added that if the Oulanyah’s son does not perform in the remaining 3 years, then they may come back and compete with him in the next elections.
“People get tired of endless elections. If there is a sentiment that one of the children of Oulanyah stands in for him and for us, I think it is really decent. It is decent to say let the boy go. If he is given a chance and he doesn’t perform we shall see”. He said.
The decision now means that NRM will not hold any primaries for the Omoro seat.
The position fell vacant when Jacob Oulanyah died on March, 20, 2022 in the US where he had earlier been admitted with cancer.
It now remains to be seen whether the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) will front a candidate for the seat as revealed in their press conference last week.
The National Unity Platform (NUP) revealed that they will support the FDC candidate.
According to the Electoral Commission (EC), the nomination of candidates will be conducted at Omoro district council hall between May 12 - 13, 2022.
Campaigns will run from May 16 to 24, 2022 before elections are held on May 26.