Lamwo: NRM in early preps for 2026

The ruling NRM party has warned its members who intend to contest for elective positions in Lamwo district to tread carefully as the primary elections will be tougher.

This comes at a time when the party office in Lamwo is receiving an overwhelming number of people who intend to vie for the top political positions under the party ticket.

Lamwo is an NRM stronghold locally known as the Yellow district.

Minister Hillary Onek is the district's brightest diamond and power broker, but  the rest of the MPs such as the retired Maj Anthony  Abuka  have intense internal competition from party members like shrewd businessman  Johnson Nyeko   while the woman MP seat will pit familiar rivals Nancy Achora  who won the 2021 election after deciding to contest against the elected ticket holder Molly Lanyero.

Under the beautiful Lamwo hills, the drums have started to sound off political tunes, the political aspirants and incumbents are already galvanizing the potential voters"

"That  is why,I  have to come, and base in Lamwo this time" says Johnson Nyeko a budding politician in Lamwo.

The incumbent woman Member of Parliament for Lamwo, Nancy Achora is still optimistic to win it in 2026.

"God will use his people to choose wisely and I believe that person that they will choose will be me if the time comes to fruition," she echoed.

The battle for political positions in Lamwo will majorly pit members of the NRM against one another.

The party has attracted a large following in Lamwo especially due to the influence and power of the Palabek county Member of Parliament and cabinet Minister Hillary Onek, the return of sustained peace and the introduction of poverty alleviation programs such as the Parish Development Model, Youth Livelihood Fund and the Uganda Women Entrepreneurship program.

"Those  expressing interest are only NRM candidates" says the Lamwo NRM Chairperson, Mark Okeny.

As the 2026 electioneering kicks in, the presence of the opposition parties is not felt and the biggest battle is expected in Lamwo county where businessman Johnson Nyeko will be tussling it against the incumbent Okullu Anthony Abuka.

The 2021 battle for the woman MP seat ended in court as the NRM leaning independent candidate Nancy Achora beat NRM flag bearer Molly Lanyero and the two will lock horns once again.

"I have  interest to contest in the 2026 elections," says Molly Lanyero , the former Woman MP for  Lamwo

Lamwo is a predominantly rural district with high poverty levels but the  Uganda-South Sudan border conflict , cattle raids and  abundant fertile arable land are other attributes for the district.

However, the church and security leaders are calling for calm from all political camps.

Bishop Wilson Kitara is the head of the Kitgum diocese says leaders should avoid involving innocent people in violent campaigns, he also wants people to vote leaders with developmental ideas.

"I discourage bad politics which is in line with sectarianism in terms of tribe, clan, or religion. I don't vote because I  dont belong to UPC, I belong to FDC, or NRM. I vote along merit