The Chairperson of the NRM National Electoral Commission, Tanga Odoi, has outlined the factors that contributed to the strong performance of President Museveni in Tororo District during the recently concluded presidential elections.
Speaking to party leaders at Festive Gardens in Tororo on Sunday, Odoi revealed that Museveni secured 77.5 percent of the vote in the district, making Tororo the best-performing area in the Bukedi sub-region.
According to a performance report presented during the review meeting, Tororo, which the party coded as an independent sub-region in its analysis, outperformed other districts in Bukedi.
Museveni garnered 76.93 percent in Pallisa District, 75.63 percent in Butebo District, 70.52 percent in Kibuku District, 66.47 percent in Budaka District, 65.50 percent in Butaleja District and 64.80 percent in Busia District.
Odoi attributed the strong showing to what he described as an appealing presidential candidate, well-packaged campaign messages, effective security coordination and strong mobilisation structures at the sub-regional level.
He also cited the enthusiasm of the district mobilisation team, guidance from the NRM Secretary General and the implementation of government programmes such as the Parish Development Model.
According to him, the resolution of the long-standing tribal dispute between the Japadhola and Iteso communities, as well as continued infrastructure development, also influenced voter support.
Odoi added that the party has already begun early mobilisation for the 2031–2036 election cycle, unless the NRM’s top organ, the NRM Central Executive Committee, decides otherwise.
Meanwhile, NRM Director of Communications Emmanuel Dombo said the election outcome in Bukedi vindicated the party leadership at the secretariat.
He encouraged those who lost in the elections not to lose hope, noting that political defeat can open doors to other opportunities.
“There is always life after politics. I and many colleagues here once lost elections, but here we are. Sometimes things happen for a reason,” Dombo said.
The NRM chairperson for Tororo, Yeri Apollo Ofwono, blamed some electoral losses on individuals who contested under the party flag but lacked genuine commitment to the party’s ideology. He also called on government to reward Tororo for its strong support.
His appeal was echoed by Othieno Godfrey, a political leader from Tororo County, who accused some party members of secretly supporting opposition and independent candidates.
Several Members of Parliament credited unity and teamwork for the party’s performance. Fred Angura, the MP for Tororo South, said cooperation between the district leadership and the Tororo County leadership played a key role in mobilisation.
Tororo County North MP Simon Nicolas Owino said his team inherited a politically divided constituency but managed to stabilise it through joint mobilisation efforts.
Meanwhile, West Budama North-East MP-elect Richard Machika pledged that newly elected legislators would work together to advance development in the district, revealing plans to form a Tororo Parliamentary Caucus to strengthen the district’s bargaining power.
The newly elected Tororo Municipality mayor Bernard Ochieng, also known as OBEN, called on party members to move past political disagreements and focus on unity and development.
The meeting brought together elected leaders and NRM officials from across the district, with many expressing optimism that sustained unity will strengthen the party and accelerate development in Tororo.
