BY ROSE KASIGWA

The campaigns for the Okoro  parliamentary seat in the upcoming 2026 general elections continue   with incumbent Gabriel Okumu  Of the ruling National Resistance Movement party  (FLAG BEARER) facing a formidable challenge from Simon D’Ujanga ( Independent ).

The contest is widely seen as a crucial indicator of the broader political landscape in the district, particularly after the contentious NRM party primary elections that saw several party members lose the elections.

Local issues such as infrastructure development, youth unemployment, and prosperity for all are dominating the campaign discourse.

Engineer. Simon D’Ujanga, former State Minister for Energy is in his second week of campaign in various places including Konga center, Konga mosque, Congambe and Abakamel among many places he has so far traversed in Zombo district.

D’Ujanga who is NRM Party leaning and standing on an independent ticket  has rallied voters to vote for him describing himself as an able leader who will continue making change in people’s lives through  lobbying for development projects when he is voted. He has also advised voters to vote for President Yoweri Museveni describing him as a president who has caused development during his reign since 1986 when he was voted into power.

“If elected, I commit to drive significant progress across key sectors vital to the region’s development. My priorities include intensifying efforts to expand rural electrification, ensuring reliable and affordable power access for all communities.” Said Eng. D’Ujanga

D’Ujanga further said that He will vigorously lobby for the expeditious tarmacking of the critical 122-kilometre Nebbi–Goli–Paidha–Padea–Zombo–Zeu–Warr–Vurra road, a project essential for enhancing connectivity, facilitating trade, and improving access to markets for local farmers.

Furthermore, Eng. D’Ujanga says he will work towards strengthening of cooperative societies among farmers to boost agricultural productivity and secure better market prices.

He also pledges unwavering support for women’s Village Savings and credit Associations (SACCOS) and youth entrepreneurship initiatives, recognizing their pivotal role in fostering economic empowerment and sustainable community growth.

Incumbent Okoro County Member of Parliament (MP) Gabriel Okumu, representing the National Resistance Movement (NRM), has pledged to significantly strengthen and expand existing government initiatives focusing on infrastructure development, job creation, and sustainable power solutions within the constituency.

Sunday Omirambe (Independent), a journalist and pastor, articulates a platform focused on grassroots unity, transparency, and job creation. Concurrently, Vincent Orach Ocaya (Independent) builts his campaign around the principle of youth empowerment.

Independent candidate Innocent Onega Godfrey, the former LCIII chairperson of Paidha Town Council, is centering his campaign on significant infrastructure and administrative advancements. He is specifically advocating for the construction and tarmacking of roads, the elevation of Paidha Town Council to municipality status, and the upgrading of Paidha Health Centre III to Health Centre IV.  Onega further is galvanizing voters by urging them to ‘rise up and reclaim Okoro County,’ a call that resonates with local governance priorities and aspirations for regional development. Winnifred Pacunega (Independent) campaigns prioritizes comprehensive women’s empowerment initiatives and significant market reforms aimed at fostering economic growth and equitable distribution of wealth.