Pallisa, Uganda: Agule County MP aspirant Mr. Okello Herbert has dismissed claims that his bid is being used to fragment support in the eastern Kameke zone in favour of incumbent MP Hon. David Ochwa.
Agule County hopeful Mr. Okello Herbert has dismissed circulating claims that his parliamentary bid is a tactical move orchestrated by incumbent MP Hon. David Ochwa to weaken strong contenders from the eastern Kameke zone.
Speaking to DailyExpress last week, an irate Okello said he has never held any discussions with Ochwa regarding his candidature and is contesting solely on personal merit.
“This is my second time contesting for Agule County without anyone’s influence. I began investing in my political journey in 2021 after I lost the previous election. I am the only leader actively engaging youth through sports despite my limited resources,” Okello said, noting he is a chartered accountant with a master’s degree, though currently not formally employed.
Okello, who picked up NRM interest forms last week, said his popularity stems from his community-driven actions, including the installation of solar-powered security lights in over 30 trading centres. “They call me ‘Okello Aica’, meaning ‘light’, because of my work in improving security through solar lighting,” he added.
Agule County is historically split into two zones based on its former sub-counties: Kameke zone (comprising Akisim, Kameke, and Boliso sub-counties) and Agule zone (comprising Agule Sub-county, Chelekura, and Agule Town Council).
The Kameke zone has produced four NRM contenders, Polycarp Ogwari, Bishop Oullo Simon Peter, and Josephine Ibaseret, while the Agule zone is represented by Hon. Ochwa and Okiring Patrick.
A recent meeting at the home of Kameke LCIII Chairperson Vincent Epokode aimed at fronting a single NRM candidate from the Kameke zone ended in disagreement, with each aspirant asserting personal popularity. Okello says he later paid UGX 3 million to the NRM account at Centenary Bank to formalize his candidature.
His impact on local commerce was confirmed by Loyce Tino, a tomato vendor at Opadoi Trading Centre in Akisim, who said the solar lights have improved safety and night-time business.
“Before the lights, we closed shop at 7pm due to darkness. Some customers used fake money and we spent UGX 1,000 every two days on flashlights. Now I save UGX 15,000 monthly thanks to Okello’s lights,” she said.
In Agule Town Council, Sam Ojangole of Pasia Trading Centre said the lights have helped deter break-ins. “Before, we had to hire police dogs for UGX 150,000 every time there was a burglary. Okello’s lights have saved us from this,” Ojangole said.
Despite observations that the multiple candidates from Kameke may advantage Hon. Ochwa, Okello rejected the claim as a myth.
“President Museveni hails from Rwakitura but defeated Patrick Oboi Amuriat in his own sub-county of Kanyum in Kumi District. So this idea of zoning politics is misleading,” Okello asserted.
Local businessman Mr. Tukei Yoweri weighed in, criticizing the Kameke contenders for undermining one another instead of forming a united front. “Agule politics is filled with intrigue. These candidates should unite against Ochwa, but instead they are sowing division,” Tukei remarked.
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