Pallisa, Uganda: The former LC5 Chairperson for Pallisa District, Issa Bantalib Taligola, commonly known as Ochuuma, has declared his intention to contest for the Gogonyo County parliamentary seat currently held by Hon. Derrick Orone.
In an exclusive interview with DailyExpress on Sunday following a talk show appearance on Aisa Radio in Ngora District, Taligola said Gogonyo “hungrily and angrily” needs him to bail them, citing his role in lobbying for the creation of the county, which in 2019 was ranked among the poorest in Uganda by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.
“You may be aware that the court overturned the fraudulent election of MP Orone,” Taligola stated. “But for the good of Gogonyo, and given the prevailing circumstances, I withdrew at the eleventh hour during the by-election. I told my people I would be back on the ballot in 2026 after winning the NRM ticket.”
Taligola claimed many of the individuals involved in the 2021 election irregularities have since come forward to express remorse. “Some of them now confess that I won both the NRM primaries and the general election. They are repenting and asking for forgiveness,” he said.
Responding to concerns about the growing influence of MP Orone, who recently hosted Vice President Jessica Alupo and Speaker Anita Among in his strongholds of Adal and Kapala, Taligola downplayed their visits.
“It’s not a crime for national leaders to come to Gogonyo. But they didn’t pack Gogonyo’s poverty and take it with them,” he remarked. “What our people need is economic empowerment. We must help them make their own money and create an environment where people can afford what they need.”
Yokana Okello from Apopong defended Taligola’s record, pointing to his role in creating administrative units that led to the birth of Kibuku and Butebo districts, as well as Agule and Gogonyo counties.
“Taligola cares about the poor. He initiated a scholarship scheme for needy students at Makerere University and lobbied for Pallisa to benefit from NUSAF, despite it not being originally earmarked,” Okello said.
Sarah Akello of Obutet Sub-county criticized what she described as divisive politics in Gogonyo. “It’s disappointing that respected elders fuel division along religious and tribal lines. We must give credit where it’s due.”
She added, “Gogonyo gained more boreholes, projects, and staff under Taligola’s leadership. But we must also acknowledge that Orone has contributed, especially in supporting the construction of seed secondary schools.”
Taligola, responding to calls he received during the radio show, promised to address the concerns raised by constituents. “In mature politics, you don’t destabilize the leader in office until the whistle is blown. Saying I was lost stems from a lack of civic education,” he stated.
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