Five NRM Cadres Compete to Fill Oulanyah's Void in Northern Vice Chair Position

Five NRM leaders, including Hamson Obua, Dan Kidega, Jane Ruth Aceng, Hilary Onek, and Sam Engola, are competing for the vacant Vice Chair position for Northern Uganda after Jacob Oulanyah’s death.

The position of Vice Chair for the NRM Central Organizing Committee (CEC) for Northern Uganda has remained vacant for nearly four years following the death of the late Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, who passed away just three months after being elected.

With the election period nearing, five senior NRM figures have emerged as contenders for the seat.

Hamson Obua, the Ajuri County MP and Government Chief Whip, has publicly expressed his intent to contest for the position.

Obua, who once served as a Youth MP for Northern Uganda before the creation of Ajuri County, announced his candidacy shortly after Oulanyah's burial and reaffirmed his decision to run in the upcoming elections.

Dan Kidega, the former Speaker of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) and former Northern Uganda Youth MP, is another notable figure seeking the seat.

Kidega stepped back from the political limelight after his term at EALA ended but was involved in President Museveni’s campaign team in the last election.

Health Minister and Lira City Woman MP Jane Ruth Aceng is also vying for the position. Having entered active politics in 2021, Aceng has gained recognition for her leadership, serving as Uganda's Health Minister for nearly a decade.

Her growing political influence within the NRM ranks, including her close ties with the president, has positioned her as a strong candidate.

Hilary Onek, the Senior Minister for Refugees and Disaster Preparedness, has long been a prominent NRM figure with over 20 years of experience in the cabinet, including holding the energy portfolio.

In Acholi, Onek is seen as an untouchable figure by the president, having been re-elected unopposed for his seat in Lamwo County.

Sam Engola, a former legislator and presidential advisor, is also in the running. Engola, who previously held the position of Vice Chair for Northern Uganda, remains a key figure in Lango politics and is considered a formidable candidate.

While the competition intensifies, the debate around the relevance of the Vice Chair position continues to resonate in the region.

Some skeptics question how the position, especially when filled, will address the region's pressing challenges, such as poverty, unequal opportunities, and unbalanced development.

Former Oyam South MP Issa Otto stressed the need for someone who could boldly speak truth to power, similar to how Jacob Oulanyah did.

Otto emphasized that the role requires a leader who deeply understands the region’s needs and can represent them effectively in the CEC.

Another regional elder, Joyce Laker, called for greater clarity from the NRM regarding the role of the Vice Chair, expressing concerns about its impact on the region's development.

She said Northern Uganda has functioned without the position for several years, and suggested that the region could continue to progress without it if it leads to further divisions during elections.

As the race for the vacant seat heats up, the people of Northern Uganda remain hopeful that the eventual candidate will be one who understands and advocates for their needs within the broader NRM structure.