Pallisa, Uganda: More than 100 former campaign agents of ex-Agule County Member of Parliament Polycarp Ogwari have defected to support Herbert Okello, an independent parliamentary aspirant, ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The group crossed over on Sunday, backing Okello after he rejected the outcome of the NRM parliamentary primaries that handed the party flag to Josephine Ibaseret.
The defectors were led by Emmanuel Anongi, popularly known as Wenga, and were received by Vincent Oluka Epoketom, the LC III Chairperson of Kameke Sub-county and Okello’s political technical advisor.
Oluka welcomed the group, saying their decision demonstrated commitment to advancing development and service delivery in Agule County.
“Your decision to support Okello shows your desire to see Agule County move to the next level. Whoever wins the majority vote in Akisim and Kameke sub-counties inevitably becomes the Member of Parliament,” Oluka said.
He urged the defectors to maintain the same mobilisation spirit that previously helped Ogwari win the Agule County parliamentary seat in the January 2021 elections.
Wasswa Irigei, Okello’s Deputy County Coordinator, said Ogwari’s continued presence in the race posed a threat of vote splitting, which could have favoured either incumbent MP David Ochwa or NRM flag bearer Josephine Ibaseret.
Another campaign figure, Justine Wassa, said five of the nine nominated parliamentary candidates for Agule County originate from the same part of the constituency, increasing the risk of fragmenting the vote.
“These include Godwin Isaac Aisu (DP), Andrew Omagor Erokode (FDC), Amos Esia (Independent), Polycarp Ogwari (Independent) and Herbert Okello. This would only benefit Ochwa or Ibaseret,” Wassa said.
Wassa added that he previously served as campaign manager for Pallisa County MP Sam Otukol, who had initially intended to contest in Agule County but later advised his team to rally behind Okello.
Explaining the defection, Anongi said the team had held consultations with Ogwari and advised him to withdraw from the race due to lingering credibility issues surrounding his earlier removal from Parliament in 2013.
“We analysed the political dynamics of Agule County and advised our candidate to step aside, but he declined. We therefore chose to identify with the winning team,” Anongi said.
He said their decision was not driven by personal ambition but by the desire to deliver victory.
“We have not come to fight for positions. Our mission is to deliver Okello to Parliament, just as we almost did for Ogwari during the NRM primaries,” he added.
Yusuf Edakasi, the former Director of Logistics, Transport and Rehabilitation in Ogwari’s camp, cited Okello’s development interventions as a key factor behind the defection.
He pointed to Okello’s reported investment of over Shs100 million in installing solar security lights in 27 trading centres and black spot junctions across Agule County.
“Agule was once known for shop break-ins and animal theft, but since the solar lights were installed, crime has reduced significantly. Even the police sniffer dogs have less work,” Edakasi said.
Agilasio Okiria said the group represented only an advance team, noting that the entire Ogwari campaign structure in Kameke, Boliso, Akisim, Chelekura, Agule Town Council and Agule Sub-county would soon follow.
Addressing the defectors, Okello welcomed them and urged his campaign teams to focus on mobilisation, peaceful engagement and disciplined messaging.
“What matters in this campaign is vote hunting, packaging the manifesto well, avoiding clashes with opponents and rejecting politics driven by money,” Okello said.
He added that his campaign would prioritise sacrifice and grassroots mobilisation for both his candidature and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Efforts to obtain a comment from Polycarp Ogwari were unsuccessful. However, one of his supporters, Julius Awoloi, said the defectors were free to associate with any candidate of their choice, noting that freedom of political affiliation is protected under Ugandan law.
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