Pallisa, Uganda: Former Namisindwa Deputy RDC Ibaseret Josephine, who resigned in May 2025 to contest for the Agule County MP seat, has secured the NRM flag after defeating six male contenders in the party primaries.
On Thursday night, Samuel Emuron, the NRM elections officer for Pallisa District, declared Ibaseret the duly elected NRM flag bearer for Agule County ahead of the 2026 general elections. She garnered 6,106 votes, emerging victorious in a hotly contested race.
According to the official results, Hon. Polycarp Ogwari polled 3,332 votes, Hon. David Ochwa got 3,328 votes, while Bishop Simon Peter Oullo, who resigned from Bukedea SS as headteacher, managed 1,754 votes. Herbert Okello also scored 1,754 votes. Patrick Okiring got 191 votes (1%) and Denis Sam Okiria trailed with 74 votes (0.5%).
Speaking to the media after her victory, Ibaseret Josephine said her triumph is a victory for the people of Agule, whom she accused past leaders, largely men, of failing through intrigue, poor social services, weak representation, and lack of effective networks to drive development.
“I grew up in Agule and got married here. I understand the struggles of this community and have always tried within my means to help,” Ibaseret said. “I am especially touched by the plight of vulnerable groups like PWDs, women, orphans, and widows, being a victim myself.”
Ibaseret pledged to unite Agule behind a common agenda of poverty eradication, household economic empowerment, and transparent leadership.
Locals speak out
One of her supporters, Bosco Okiria from Opadoi village, revealed he had initially backed Hon. David Ochwa, but shifted allegiance to Ibaseret due to political divisions stemming from the court case that saw Hon. Polycarp Ogwari ejected from Parliament.
“We needed someone neutral, someone who could restore harmony. That’s how we rallied behind Ibaseret,” Okiria explained.
Justine Okiria, another mobilizer, said they intend to keep Ibaseret in Parliament for two consecutive terms before considering any leadership changes, insisting Agule’s previous male MPs had only fostered division and failed to deliver tangible development.
“Since Agule’s creation in 2011, there’s no sign of development. Some MPs left office without even planting a single tree in a school or church,” Okiria said.
Ketty Atai, a women’s leader, cited Ibaseret’s compassionate initiatives such as distributing wheelchairs through OJ Care Foundation and supporting widows with farming tools and attire.
“Given her public service experience, I am confident President Museveni will not hesitate to appoint her Minister — something Pallisa has long yearned for,” Atai added.
Ibaseret’s victory signals a shift in Agule’s political landscape, with her supporters framing her as the face of unity, peace, and pragmatic leadership against a backdrop of political divisions fueled by male-dominated camps.
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