President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni who is also the National Chairman of National Resistance Movement (NRM) has met and held discussions with leaders from Omoro District over the Omoro county constituency by-election.
The meeting took place on Tuesday at the president’s country home in Rwakitula, Kiruhura District.
The meeting organized by the NRM secretariat led by Richard Todwong, the Secretary General was attended by, the District executive committee, the aspirants, cultural leaders, religious leaders, and opinion leaders.
The Electoral Commission recently released the electoral programme for by-election of Member of Parliament for Omoro County Constituency, Omoro District.
The Omoro County Constituency Parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of the former Member of Parliament and former Speaker of Parliament, the Rt. Hon. Jacob L’Okori Oulanyah.
During the meeting, all the five aspirants were given an opportunity to sell their candidature to the leaders who attended.
They included, Ojok Andrew Oulanya (son to the late Jacob Oulanya), Okello Douglas Peter (the current LCV chairperson), Olal Obong, Acellam Ben, and Okello Francis.
In the meeting, all the five NRM aspirants agreed to step down for Ojok Andrew Oulanya, the
son of the late speaker Jacob Oulanya for continuity for his father’s term in the August house.
Speaking to the delegation from Omoro, President Museveni 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 three 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.:
Museveni also commended the four aspirants for putting the party first before self and agreeing to step aside for a smooth process.
“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," he said.
Responding to their concerns as Omoro district leaders, like the road that connects Acholi from Omoro to Karamoja in Moroto, Museveni assured them that government will tarmac that road.
He noted that government has done so many roads and so it can’t fail to tarmac this one.
“The road I know it, and we shall work on it. We have worked on so many of them so this one we cant’ fail."
The president who promised to support the Oulanyah foundation and the completion of Omoro district headquarters warned leaders against going for forests in the name of constructing an industrial park.
“We should not allow destruction of forests for industrial parks. Please don’t talk about interfering with forests. Where shall we get rain if we cut down forests," he asked them.
The NRM Secretary General, Hon. Richard Todwong revealed that they have been engaging with all the five aspirants that expressed interest to contest.
“We have been interacting with them and have engaged them to have one person. Cultural leaders and religious leaders have participated in the mediation process," Todwong said.
One of the Aspirants Okello Deogratius Peter, the Chairperson LCV Omoro district said “In spirit of the party and for continuation of NRM in Omoro I have decided to step down.”
In a memorandum of understanding read to the president by the Woman MP for Omoro district, Catherine Lamwaka, leaders in Omoro commended Museveni for the support he gave to Jacob Oulanyah before, during after his death.
“We want to thank you for your support for Omoro district. Thank you for the support you gave to Oulanya during his time while alive and for the decent send off. Thank you for always understanding with us as Omoro district." Lamwaka said.
They thanked the NRM chairman for his final and timely mediation between candidates that had wanted to participate in the NRM primaries.
“Thank for you for the time to attend to the candidates. I appreciate them for the decisions they have taken. Am happy with the decisions they have taken."
The meeting was also attended by Rwot Ochan Jimmy Lumala, Bishop Godfrey Loum, opinion leader Onyuk Andrew, NRM electoral commission chairman Tanga Odoi among others.
The nominations of candidates according to the Independent Electoral Commission will be conducted for two days on May 12 and 13, 2022 at Omoro district council hall.