The race for the Kioga North parliamentary seat in Amolatar District is shaping up as a straight contest between Geoffrey Ocen of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC) and Peter Okodo of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), following the decision of incumbent MP James Olobo to shift his political ambitions to Kaberamaido County.
Geoffrey Ocen, who currently serves as the district LC5 chairman, cited the pressing challenges facing the local fishing community as a key motivation for his candidacy. He particularly criticized the involvement of Uganda People's Defence Forces (UPDF) soldiers attached to the Fisheries Protection Unit (FPU).
"If I am in Parliament, I will introduce a Private Member's Bill to regulate boat sizes in a manner that is affordable to ordinary citizens, enabling them to fish both for personal consumption and for sale at local markets," Ocen said.
He further criticized the Fisheries and Aquaculture Act of 2023, arguing that it generalizes regulation and fails to empower local leaders elected by the community to manage fishing activities.
“My closeness with the local community has made me aware of the problems they are facing regarding fishing activities. Therefore, if I go to Parliament, I will advocate for amendments to ensure that when the army withdraws from the lake, there is no regulatory vacuum," he said.
In addition to fishing, Ocen pledged to lobby for the upgrading of Amolatar Health Centre IV to a general hospital, citing the need for specialized doctors, modern equipment, and better ambulance support.
He also called for amendments to the Public Finance Management Act to allow for more direct allocation of funds to local government accounts, noting that keeping funds at the Bank of Uganda often delays or denies resources to districts.
On the other hand, Peter Okodo, the ruling NRM candidate, highlighted the frequent flooding around Lake Kyoga as his primary concern.
“For the last 10 years, communities around Lake Kyoga have suffered from frequent floods, forcing many families to leave their homes. I will lobby the government to establish a special programme to support affected families," he said.
Okodo also pledged to promote the 4-acre model advocated by President Museveni, aiming to transform local land into viable agribusiness opportunities and lift residents out of poverty.
"We are entering a money economy, and I want to assure my people that even if we don't have enough land, I will work with you and provide training in new farming methods. Agriculture must become a real business," he said.
Uganda is scheduled to hold its General Election on January 15, 2026, to elect a new president and members of Parliament for the next five-year term.
Kioga North Constituency has a population of 97,955, comprising 46,981 males and 50,974 females, according to the 2024 National Population and Housing Census.
The constituency includes eight sub-counties, one town council, and 52 parishes. There are 61,127 registered voters, including 31,578 females and 29,549 males, distributed across 129 polling stations, according to the Electoral Commission.
As the campaign intensifies, all eyes are on Kioga North as voters weigh the contrasting promises and visions of the two leading candidates.