The recent anomalous article circulating on social media, attacking the political fortunes of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Lira City social media activists like Ayeny Angulu, clearly aimed at consoling Betty Amongi, deserves a factual and sober response.
Political debate is healthy in a democracy but deliberate distortion, personal attacks, blackmail and attempts to rewrite electoral history cannot replace the voice of the people expressed through the ballot as is being portrayed by the Amongi camp.
The message from the people of Lira City through the recent electoral results is clear: the NRM has made significant political gains in the city and those results must be respected. The alternative was to challenge the same in court but the Amongi group didn’t.
The ballot box already spoke and indeed very loudpy so. The NRM’s performance in Lira City cannot simply be wished away by social-media propaganda in attempt to attract sympathy.
For instance, Dr. Jane Aceng Ocero won the Lira City Woman Member of Parliament seat. Hon. Alyela Denis Omodi secured Lira City East Division, while Sam Atul won the City Mayoral race. The NRM also registered substantial success at division council levels both at east and western.
These results demonstrate that the political landscape of Lira City has changed significantly. Infact President Museveni who is the chairperson of NRM is aware of these developments.
UPC, meanwhile, retained Lira City West through Obong Eyit out of the 3 constituencies. This is also part of democracy and it should be acknowledged honestly with respect. Elections are competitions and victory in one constituency does not erase victory elsewhere.
The larger picture, however, is that the NRM has demonstrated considerable strength across Lira City, particularly at the grassroots. Credit belongs to the voters not AAA as the Amongi group keeps on portraying.
It is important to make one thing absolutely clear: no individual person, politician, minister, financier or political group can claim responsibility for the victory of Lira City. The decisive factor in an election is the voter.
The people of Lira City made their choices. They voted, counted their ballots and determined their representatives. Any attempt to attribute the outcome to someone else with blackmail and bitterness is ultimately an insult to the electorate.
Therefore, claims that particular personalities “facilitated” the NRM’s victory should be treated with caution. Losers should carry their defeat aware that they thought they couldn’t be defeated in Lango for the last 25 years. Its now time to heal just and let others lead.
The grassroots strategy is working courtesy of NRM city and Division leadership. The NRM’s growing presence in Lira City did not happen overnight. It has been the product of sustained grassroots mobilisation, organisation and engagement by party structures, division leadership, councillors, mobilisers and ordinary supporters.
The NRM leadership at City and division level has continued to build structures and engage communities rendering UPC invisible. Infact NRM’s economic intervention programs are making NRM party more popular. The party’s grassroots approach is increasingly becoming visible in electoral outcomes.
The message from the January results is therefore not merely about one election. It is about organisation. A political party that wants to remain relevant must be present at the grassroots, listen to communities, organise its supporters and participate consistently in public life. The NRM appears to have learned this lesson in Lira City.
Invoking powerful names cannot change the results. It is unfortunate when social media commentators like Mr. Ayeny, working to appease his Betty Amongi, resort to invoking the names of national leaders as a substitute for a substantive political argument.
Mentioning Hon. Annet Anita Among—or any other senior political figure—in an attempt to manufacture political relevance does not alter what happened at the polling stations. Names do not count votes.
ACENG & THE NRM STRUCTURE:
Hon. Dr. Jane Aceng Ocero’s relationship with the NRM party structure should also be understood within the broader political reality of Lira City.
Successful political leadership requires cooperation between elected leaders and party structures. Respect for party organisation, grassroots mobilisation and coordination are essential to sustaining political gains.
In 2026, the leadership of NRM focused on her flag bearers and supported all. That’s the reason the Movement cadres are celebrating victory. NRM and PLU will continue to have strategies to perform even better come 2031.
The growing NRM/PLU presence in Lira City and Lango therefore, provides an opportunity for elected leaders and party structures to work together in serving the people. The evidence is very clear in the just concluded LC1 and LCII were NRM swept with over 60% yet women council at Divisions and City levels were swept by 100%.
UPC key grassroot leaders are working closely with NRM. There is no need to pretend that UPC has not reduced from Lira City though the party understandably retained representation in Lira City West and other parts of the city.
However, key UPC leaders and supporters are working closely with NRM leadership in lira city to support NRM/PLU programs for the development and transformation of their beloved Lira City and Lango.
Democracy requires respect for political competition, including opponents as well.
At the same time, those who previously believed that Lira City was permanently controlled by one political tradition and family should carefully study the latest electoral figures because politics is dynamic.
2031 will be decided by the same people,. Prepare to come and face them! Those who have suffered political setbacks in 2026 should not resort to bitterness or blackmail.
The next electoral contest will once again be decided by the voters in 2031. NRM will continue to perform much better than 2026 as it continues strengthening its grassroots structures, improving mobilisation, supporting government programs and maintaining contact with ordinary citizens.
There is a strong possibility that the ruling party’s political influence in Lira City will continue to grow as the sour losers from UPC endlessly complain instead of preparing better for 2031.
