The Electoral Commission recently released a detailed roadmap to 2026 general election, a move that has prompted different political parties itching to participate in the forthcoming election to embark on various activities.
In Lango, the opposition Uganda People’s Congress, UPC Party headed by Lira City East MP Jimmy Akena Obote has remained steadfast in their mobilization drive.
Fresh from bagging victory during Dokolo by-elections in which UPC party massively trounced NRM party, MP Akena and his team is far from going to their political slumber land.
Last week, UPC made a huge catch in Alebtong district where they received another NRM strongman, Denis Opio Elia who previously had contested to be the Moroto County Member of Parliament on independent ticket but NRM leaning during the 2021 elections.
In an exclusive interview with the Nile Times News, Mr. Opio Elia has revealed why he opted to join opposition party whose foundation is only strongly grounded in Lango sub region where it’s founding father late Dr. Obote is peacefully buried in Akokoro, Apac district.
Opio Elia told Nile Times that his decision was well guided by the elders and stakeholders of Moroto County.
“Coming back to my recent decision to join our mother and mass party UPC, the idea was first conceived by elders and key stakeholders of Moroto County who saw my leadership capabilities and the type of leadership they needed. They later approached me with the idea not knowing that I was a man who grew up in the family of UPC and had long been admiring the ideology of UPC since it is pro-people,” said Mr. Opio Elia.
Opio said; We discussed the matter at length and agreed that; for my agenda to be effectively implemented, I need to join UPC where I can ably speak about the problems faced by our people in parliament so that adequate budgetary allocations are put by the government to address the development gaps in my constituency since the current MP Samuel Okwir Odwe has failed to deliver on them.
According to Elia, Uganda is heading towards a transition from our President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to another generation of leaders where we fall as young and promising leaders.
“Based on this, UPC as a party decided to front a candidate for the country’s top job, and to me, this is an opportunity for the people of Lango to show massive support for the party that led Uganda twice with remarkable achievements,” said Opio.
Opio said if Lango can send many Members of Parliament under the UPC ticket, our bargaining power in government will increase and we begin to realize development adding that such approach has worked out in several parts of the country because this government needs a little pressure for them to listen to us.
“For the short time I have been in Uganda People’s Congress, I can confess that UPC is indeed a party that nature a true and effective leaders in this country. I am highly confident of making it through this time round (2026 general election) since this was not my initiative but rather a collective interest of elders, youths, women, PWDs, and all stakeholders of Moroto County,” said Opio, the former contestant for Moroto County MP seat.
It Is therefore my call to the people of Lango and Uganda at large that come 2026, let’s unite to rally maximum support to UPC if we desire to have a country where good leadership shines, Opio added.
In 2021 election, Opio contested as an independent after losing NRM primaries to MP Okwir Odwe.
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