Pallisa, Uganda: Gogonyo County MP Hon. Orone Derrick Friday emerged victorious in the hotly contested race for the highest NRM party position in Pallisa District, defeating former MP Hon. Jacob Richards Opolot Mooka with 453 votes against 259.
Hon. Orone’s win has effectively split the district’s political landscape into rival factions, each backed by influential leaders with significant grassroots sway. His camp included sitting MPs David Ochwa (Agule), Oseku Richard (Kibale), and Kaala Kevin (Woman MP), alongside heavyweights like Hajji Ibrahim Aisu, Louis Opange, former MP Patrick Okiring, Okwii Constantine, Herbert Okello, and Vincent Oluka.
Hon. Opolot’s camp featured prominent figures, including LC5 Chairperson Duchu Patrick, former Agule MP Polycarp Ogwari, NRM aspirants Issa Taligola Bantalib (Gogonyo), Patrice George Kadimba (Pallisa County), and Josephine Ibaseret Agola Hope (Agule), as well as political strategists like Robert Otaget and Patrick Arionget Hausi Njaye Byantalo.
Polling at Pallisa SS playground was delayed, starting at 2:40 PM, due to the late arrival of delegates. District NRM registrar Jane Nangobi confirmed the delay, citing logistical issues.
The exercise faced criticism from Taligola Bantalib, who plans to challenge Orone in 2026 for the Gogonyo County seat. He alleged irregularities, claiming many of those who lined up were ineligible substitutes and accused the registrar of blocking candidates from addressing voters.
“The registrar refused to screen the delegates and denied us even a minute to speak. It was regrettable,” said Taligola.
Addressing the media after the polls, Orone called for unity across Pallisa’s political divide. “This was just an election to choose party leadership. We all belong to the same NRM house and must work together,” Orone said, pledging to remain neutral in the upcoming parliamentary primaries.
In a gesture of reconciliation, a congratulatory message from Opolot, delivered by his coordinator Hausi Njaye Byantalo, was read live on Pallisa FM during Orone’s Saturday political talk show.
“People have spoken. Our team must now return to normal duties. Let’s repel any insults in silence, winners should jubilate, losers regroup for the next contest,” said Njaye.
Orone further pledged to step back from office duties during the NRM primaries. “I will hand over daily responsibilities to Ojukul and Apua, who are not standing for any constituency seat. This will remove any suspicion of bias. I won’t allow my position to interfere with the fairness of the upcoming MP races,” Orone stated.
Other leaders elected to district party roles include; Vice Chairperson: Hajji Ibrahim Aisu,
Secretary General: Hon. David Ochwa (Agule MP), Publicity Secretary: Apua David Kedi, and Finance Secretary: Albert Ojukul.
Chairpersons for NRM leagues included: Women’s League: Josephine Ibaseret (former Deputy RDC Namisindwa), Elders League: Nicholas Osako, Youth League: Okiria Dennis, Veterans League: Oullo Joseph, Workers League: Legesi Stephen and PWDs League: Aupal George and Hajji Ibrahim Aisu
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