Ora County Incumbent MP Songa Picks Nomination Form As Independent

Ora County Incumbent MP Songa Picks Nomination Form As Independent 

By Mike Rwothomio

West Nile: Lawrence Songa Biyika, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Ora County in Zombo District, has formally collected nomination forms to launch his bid for re-election as an independent candidate in the highly anticipated 2026 general elections, scheduled for January 12, 2026. 

Songa, who chairs Parliament’s Climate Change Committee, joined hundreds of local government aspirants at the Electoral Commission offices in Paidha Town Council, Zombo District, on September 11 to kickstart the nomination process.

 Speaking at a press conference after receiving his nomination forms from Zombo District Returning Officer Emmanuel Ogwang, Songa outlined his legislative agenda, emphasizing infrastructure development, including better roads and a district hospital, and advocating for industrial growth to leverage the region’s abundant agricultural resources, such as avocado, coffee, matooke, and cassava, supported by reliable electricity.

“The nomination period for the general election has begun. Today, in Paidha, I visited the National Electoral Commission office and signed for my nomination papers in preparation for the official nomination on October 15 and 16, 2025,” Songa told journalists. 

He added, “I will contest as an independent MP. The Constitution allows for independent candidacy, and with 51 independent MPs currently in Parliament, this is a viable path. I’m focused on the future, not past disputes.”

A long-standing member of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM), Songa’s decision to run independently stems from his unsuccessful challenge against alleged irregularities in the NRM primaries on July 17, which was dismissed by the party’s tribunal.

 Undeterred, Songa remains optimistic about retaining his Ora County seat despite fierce competition in a district that has been an NRM stronghold since its creation in 2011, consistently delivering over 80% of its votes to the party.

However, the NRM’s dominance is under threat as opposition parties and independent candidates, mobilize to challenge the status quo in the 2026 elections. 

Ora County, with over 80,000 registered voters across 122 polling stations, is poised for a heated contest, with supporters of various candidates vowing to secure a decisive victory.

Songa called on district leaders to clarify the roles MPs play in securing resources for local governments, enabling voters to make informed decisions.

 He also urged the Ora County diaspora to mobilize voters for a high turnout in January 2026, citing low participation in the recent NRM primaries. 

“Let’s elect competent leaders who can deliver tangible services,” Songa said, stressing the need for a “peaceful electoral process.”

A coalition of opposition parties, including the National Unity Platform (NUP), Democratic Party (DP), Alliance for National Transformation (ANT), Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) is strategizing to field joint candidates to challenge NRM flag-bearers.

 Francis Bolingo, Zombo’s opposition leader and an ANT member contesting for Athuma Sub-County Councillor, praised Songa’s independent candidacy.

 “Zombo needs competent leaders who prioritize roads, hospitals, and essential services, not just party loyalty,” Bolingo said, noting internal NRM divisions as a strategic opportunities.

Unfulfilled government promises, particularly the failure to tarmac the 119-kilometer Nebbi–Goli–Paidha–Zombo–Zeu–Warr–Vurra road, critical for trade with the Democratic Republic of Congo, have fueled discontent.

 Recent seasonal rains have exacerbated road conditions, with bottlenecks at Ayuda, Nyagak bridge, and Zale trading center disrupting commerce. 

Songa, a member of Parliament’s Budget Committee, urged voters to re-elect him to continue advocating for infrastructure and services. “I have unfinished tasks, and I appeal to Ora County voters to support me to deliver the changes we deserve,” he said.

The political landscape in Zombo is further complicated by other high-profile candidacies.

 Former Energy State Minister and long-serving Okoro County MP, Eng. Simon D’Ujanga, has also declared his intention to contest as an independent in 2026, following grassroots mobilization by his constituents.

 Similarly, Topista Acamfua, who garnered over 18,000 votes in the NRM primaries for Woman MP but lost to the incumbent, has announced her independent candidacy, signaling potential fractures within the NRM.

The opposition and independents are capitalizing on internal NRM rifts, exacerbated by controversial primaries.

 Bolingo noted, “The NRM in Zombo is deeply divided due to primary results that ignored members’ preferences. Our coalition welcomes disenfranchised NRM people to join us.” 

With over 100,000 registered NRM members across Zombo’s 752 villages, the party’s historical dominance is now at a check.

At a recent NRM harmonization meeting, interim district chairperson Dickson Pithua Kenedy urged party members to prepare for stiff competition, reaffirming support for NRM flag-bearers only.

According to some local political analysts, Songa and other formidable NRM stalwarts's bid to contest on independent bid signal a potential shift in the district’s political dynamics.

 Parliamentary nominations, including for Special Interest Groups, are set for October 15–16, 2025, at District Returning Officers’ offices.