Pallisa, Uganda: The Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Pallisa, Mr. Magid Dhikusooka, has challenged newly elected NRM sub-county chairpersons to deliver at least 95% of the vote for President Yoweri Museveni in the 2026 general election despite the deep divisions rocking party structures.
Speaking at a meeting held this week at Kyoga Hotel in Pallisa, Mr. Dhikusooka, accompanied by Deputy RDC Louis Patrick Okia, tasked the 21 chairpersons to aggressively mobilize for the NRM by popularizing the party’s ideology at public gatherings, especially at burials and community functions.
“We want President Museveni to score 95% in Pallisa. Let people contest for party leadership positions on merit, not because of money or affiliations,” Dhikusooka urged. “If someone gives you money, tell the 30 delegates under your sub-county to eat it, but vote wisely.”
He also warned against a new trend where candidates vying for district party positions attempt to confine sub-county leaders in hotels to influence their vote.
However, political analyst and long-serving Pallisa Town Councilor Felix Omweru Esupan cast doubt on the RDC’s optimism, arguing that internal divisions fueled by factional primaries are likely to deny President Museveni the vote margin the RDC desires.
“NRM gets 100% of LC3s, district councilors, and MPs, but Museveni never exceeds 70% because grassroots divisions cost him support. This is especially visible in counties like Gogonyo and Kibale,” Esupan noted.
He said that in Pallisa, support often aligns with parliamentary hopefuls rather than party ideals, a shift that has marginalized key mobilizers from mainstream party structures.
“Politics of intrigue, silent tribalism, and religious affiliations are breeding vendettas that may worsen service delivery,” Esupan warned.
John Julius Okaki alias Yellowman, a renowned mobilizer and councilor for Akisim sub-county, expressed frustration over being sidelined in the district executive race due to his perceived neutrality and financial status.
“The camps controlling the NRM district executive are more dangerous than the Gaza war,” Okaki lamented.
In Gogonyo, tensions have escalated into tribal divisions, prompting local leaders like John Okuruti to call on President Museveni to consider carving out a new constituency for the marginalized Bakenyi community, similar to how he resolved tensions in Kibale and Tororo.
“Educated elites are promoting tribalism, yet village folk live in harmony. Give the Bakenyi their own county and restore unity,” Okuruti urged.
Former candidate Issa Bantalib Taligola, widely viewed as a national figure, decried tribal biases against his Bakenyi identity, despite his linguistic fluency and political experience. “I’m a unifier. My Bakenyi tribe is only 2% in Bukedi and 1% in Pallisa, yet I win thousands of votes from Iteso, Bagwere, Basoga, and Bagisu. I crush tribalism,” he said in a phone interview with DailyExpress.
Meanwhile, incumbent MP Derrick Orone said the issue of political camps predates his entry into politics, but he is working to dismantle them. “I treat everyone equally. Whether someone voted for me or not, I serve them all. I’m distributing golisis to all women in Gogonyo regardless of tribe,” he stated.
While local leaders like Charles Obela, former councilor for PWDs, blamed politically aligned artists for composing divisive songs that stoke tensions during campaigns. “These artists create chaos with songs that insult rivals of their sponsors. They’re tearing the community apart,” he said.
Faith Kaidu, a resident of Angolol, added that recent violence, including the stripping of the district NRM registrar during parish structure elections, is proof that unless unity is restored, violence could escalate.
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