Lira District, Uganda: The Member of Parliament for Erute South, Jonathan Odur, has accused former Housing Minister Sam Engola of misusing government machinery and public resources to gain an unfair advantage ahead of the 2026 general elections, calling for an urgent investigation by the Electoral Commission (EC).
Speaking to DailyExpress at his constituency office in Lira, Odur described Engola’s recent activities as a “flagrant abuse of office,” alleging that state resources are being deployed to repair roads and roll out projects under the guise of development campaigning.
“Engola is shamelessly exploiting public resources to fix roads and showcase infrastructure as part of his campaign. This is not only unethical but a clear violation of Uganda’s electoral laws,” Odur said.
Odur alleged that Engola has been personally directing road works using government vehicles and equipment, warning that such conduct undermines electoral fairness and public trust.
“The government machinery belongs to all Ugandans. It cannot be used as a personal campaign tool by one candidate,” Odur said.
He urged the Electoral Commission to intervene immediately, arguing that failure to act would set a dangerous precedent ahead of the 2026 polls.
“The EC has a constitutional duty to ensure free and fair elections. Allowing the abuse of state resources erodes the foundation of our democracy,” Odur said, adding that he has formally requested investigations into the alleged violations.
Odur dismissed Engola’s claims of government-funded electrification and infrastructure upgrades as “campaign gimmicks,” arguing that their timing is suspicious and politically calculated. “We have never seen this level of government intervention in Erute South until Engola declared his comeback. These projects are being used to manipulate voters, not to serve them,” he said.
Engola Fires Back
Responding to the claims, Sam Engola fiercely rejected the allegations, branding them “cheap propaganda” aimed at derailing his political comeback and misleading voters.
In his address to supporters during campaign engagements across Erute South, Engola said his critics are deliberately twisting legitimate development lobbying into abuse-of-office narratives because they fear his influence and long-standing connections within government.
“Lobbying for services is not a crime. It is the responsibility of leaders who know how government works,” Engola said, insisting that advocacy for development should not be criminalised.
He maintained that Erute South cannot afford what he termed “political experiments” at a time when competition for government resources is intense.
Engola said his engagements with the Ministry of Energy resulted in a Shs2.4 billion allocation for electrification projects in Erute South, aimed at extending power to trading centres and rural communities.
According to him, access to electricity will unlock economic activity, particularly for welders, salons and agro-processing businesses currently constrained by high operating costs. “This is what real development looks like. Power brings jobs, and jobs bring dignity,” Engola said.
‘Opposition Has No Numbers’
Engola further argued that political influence matters, citing the numerical dominance of the NRM in Parliament, where it controls more than 300 MPs.
“If Erute South wants roads, electricity and water, it must sit where decisions are made,” he said, insisting that only an NRM-aligned MP can effectively lobby for the constituency.
At the grassroots level, Engola cited his past interventions, including securing over 100 water projects through JJ Water NGO, and sponsoring 350 students from the Lango sub-region, with more than 60 qualifying as medical doctors. “These are not promises. These are lives already changed,” he said.
The ex-Minister also disclosed that he is working with Lira District LCV Chairperson RCM Okello Orik to push for the creation of Erute District, saying he expects President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to consider the proposal during campaign visits.
“I know which doors to knock and how to knock them,” Engola said, dismissing claims that his access to power amounts to unfair advantage.
By press time, the Electoral Commission had not issued an official response to Odur’s allegations.
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