NRM's Engola Received Huge Support from UPC&NRM As He Seeks to End 10 Years Of UPC Rule In Erute South

By Gloria Acen 

LIRA, Uganda – In a significant political realignment, more than 150 officials and supporters from the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Uganda's oldest political party, have publicly defected to support the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Sam Engola, in the upcoming race for the Erute South Constituency parliamentary seat.

The mass declaration of support, which took place at a rally in Onyakede, signals a major shift in a constituency long considered a UPC stronghold and deals a substantial blow to the incumbent MP, Jonathan Odur of UPC, who has held the seat for a decade.

Sam Engola, a Senior Presidential Advisor on Lango Affairs and a former MP and Minister for the area, is seeking to reclaim the seat he once held. The contest is now framed as a choice between continuity and a return to a more experienced, government-connected figure.

The defectors were unified in their criticism of the incumbent, Jonathan Odur, citing years of "poor representation" and a profound "disconnection from the communities" they serve.

The rally featured emotional testimonies from former UPC loyalists who expressed frustration with Odur's tenure.

Okori David, the former UPC Chairperson for Amach Sub-county, stated, “For years, I tried to reach our MP about critical issues like the persistent water shortages in our community. My calls and pleas went unanswered. We can no longer support a leader who is unreachable when his people are suffering.

Alili Joe and Vincent Ogwang, other prominent UPC members, echoed this sentiment, declaring their support for Engola and citing a need for tangible development.

The NRM leadership capitalized on the defections, framing the upcoming election as a critical juncture for the constituency's development.

Ogwang Tonny, the NRM Chairperson for Amach Sub-county, delivered a sharp critique, accusing Odur of being a politician who “sits outside where the national cake is shared and opposes government programmes.” He urged voters to elect Engola to effectively “tap development” for Erute South, which he claimed has suffered from neglect.

Jacob Ocen, the Lira City NRM Publicity Secretary, speaking on behalf of District Chairperson Agnes Linda Auma, reinforced the message. He characterized the constituency’s current representation as a leader “who speaks much but lobbies nothing,” and made a direct appeal for voters to support President Yoweri Museveni, Engola, and the NRM ticket in the January 15, 2026, elections.

The event also highlighted political reconciliation and a push for a more powerful representative.

" Ambassador"  Lolo Abura, a figure of significant local stature, announced that he had reconciled with Engola after years of political and personal differences. His endorsement is seen as a major boost for Engola’s campaign, potentially swaying undecided voters.

Businessman Robert Okodia, who heads Engola’s campaign task force, used a powerful metaphor to summarize the campaign's message. He told supporters that the constituency needed “a bus tire, not a pickup tire,” implying that past leaders, including Odur, were inadequate for the heavy-duty task of delivering large-scale development. He positioned Engola as the "bus tire" capable of carrying the constituency's weight and driving it forward.

This defection is more than a local dispute; it reflects a broader challenge for historical opposition parties like UPC. The NRM’s strategy of co-opting local leaders and positioning itself as the sole conduit for national resources continues to prove effective. For the voters of Erute South, the 2026 election will be a stark referendum on whether party lineage or perceived effectiveness in delivering development holds greater weight.