The National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General, Richard Todwong, has officially announced that the party will begin the search for a potential replacement for the late former Speaker of Parliament, Jacob Oulanyah, as the National Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda.
During his ongoing countrywide tour, Todwong addressed party members in Gulu City, emphasizing the need for a new leader to step into Oulanyah’s shoes and strengthen the party’s presence in the region.
He indicated that party structures should prepare for elections to choose a replacement in 2025.
Oulanyah’s untimely death in March 2022 left a significant gap in the party’s leadership, with the secretariat managing the position for the past two years.
"You need to start organizing to find someone to replace Honorable Jacob Oulanyah for the region," Todwong said.
"Had we had a CEC member from this region, we could be holding these meetings more often, but after losing ours, we now need a replacement."
Todwong, who met with the district executive committee members from the Acholi sub-region in Gulu, had earlier conveyed the same message to NRM members in Arua City in West Nile.
"Start searching within the members of NRM for someone who can contest to replace Honorable Jacob Oulanyah," he added.
The Secretary General emphasized that the new candidate should be well-known not only within the Acholi region but across the country.
"You might find someone popular in Acholi, but they must be someone who can garner national support. Their campaign will be national," Todwong stated.
Party members have welcomed the move, particularly in light of the added burden on the Secretary General after the death of another Central Executive Committee member, Simon Peter Aleper, from Karamoja.
Odoki Lutukumoi, the NRM Chairperson for Gulu City, confirmed that preparations for next year’s elections have already begun with the digitalization of the members' register.
"The process for the elections will start from the village level up to the top," Lutukumoi said.
Christopher Opiyo Ateker, the LC5 Chairman of Gulu District, also expressed support for Todwong’s call.
"As the District Chairman of Gulu, we fully back Todwong. We will mobilize and ensure the right person takes up the position to replace Oulanyah and Aleper," he said.
Ateker acknowledged that many may show interest in the position, but the party will conduct thorough due diligence.
The death of Oulanyah, who had been instrumental in promoting the party’s agenda in Northern Uganda, has been a significant blow to the NRM’s ambitions in the region. Lowila CD Oketayot, the former Woman MP of Pader, noted, "There are many issues that would have been discussed at the CEC level, and we believe that gap has been felt. As NRM leaders and supporters, this is an issue close to our hearts."
In addition, Todwong addressed concerns within the party about destabilizing factions. He spoke out against the formation of parallel pressure groups such as PLU and ONC, calling for unity.
He also urged patience with the NRM members of the Office of the National Chairman, who are recruiting voter protection cadres.
"Discipline in the party has been an issue, and people often act with impunity," Todwong remarked.
"Even though there are smaller parties that can expel members, NRM, with its majority, remains quiet. This matter has been discussed at the national level."
Jacob Oulanyah had replaced Sam Engola as the NRM National Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda before the 2021 general elections.