ALEBTONG, UGANDA – In a significant pre-election revolt, more than ten senior National Resistance Movement (NRM) leaders from Alebtong District have publicly abandoned their party’s flag-bearer for the District Woman MP seat, declaring their full support for independent candidate Achen Christine Ayoo.
The mass defection was announced on Thursday, December 11, 2025, at a rally in Abongo Meno village, Tekulo Parish. The group, comprising LC3 chairpersons and sub-county NRM bosses, was led by the party’s District General Secretary, who also chairs the Alebtong District LC3 Chairpersons Association, and Akura Sub-county Chairperson Alex Omara. They unanimously declared Ms. Ayoo the only suitable candidate for Alebtong in the 12th Parliament.
“As elected Alebtong NRM leaders, we are going to campaign for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, together with the MP for Ajuri County, Denis Hamson Obua. But for the district parliamentary seat, we are all going to campaign fully for the independent candidate, Achen Christine Ayoo,” stated Alex Omara, asserting their right to choose whom to support.
The leaders cited profound dissatisfaction with the official NRM candidate, criticizing her capacity and commitment.
John Opio, NRM Chairperson for Aloi Sub-county, declared, “In the 12th Parliament, Alebtong District will not tolerate electing a leader without vision.”
Their criticism grew sharper. Daniel Obonyo, NRM Chairperson of Abako Sub-county, stated, “Alebtong District cannot send a teenager to Parliament. She is still very young, and her manifesto cannot push Alebtong District to the next level.” He further dismissed the candidate as being “married to another district,” a pointed reference to Amolatar, implying divided loyalties.
Christopher Ogwal, NRM Chairperson of Abia Sub-county, alleged double-dealing by the flag-bearer, claiming she was now collaborating with other independents. “For that matter, as NRM leaders, we are also going to support the independent candidate and await the feedback,” Ogwal said.
The rally was attended by a formidable bloc of local party power brokers, including chairpersons from Adwari, Akura, Alebtong Town Council, Apala Town Council, and the District NRM Publicity Secretary, Patrick Okullu Okeng, signaling a deep and coordinated rift within the party’s local structure.
Addressing her new-found supporters, independent candidate Achen Christine Ayoo outlined her development-focused manifesto for 2026-2031. She pledged to improve road networks, monitor health projects, boost water supply, and support women’s groups and SACCOs. While urging voters to support President Museveni for national leadership, she positioned herself as the district’s necessary advocate.
“I have worked for the last five years and lobbied for many projects for the people,” Ayoo said, contrasting her experience with the portrayal of her rival.
This mass defection represents a severe blow to the NRM’s official campaign in Alebtong, throwing the race for the Woman MP seat wide open and demonstrating that local loyalty to individuals and perceived competence can override strict party discipline in Uganda’s heated electoral politics.
