By Henry Okello
TORORO
A vibrant political atmosphere enveloped Tororo Municipality over the last two days as a remarkable 50 candidates were nominated to contest for seven parliamentary seats in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
The two-day nomination exercise, held at the Electoral Commission offices, turned the area into a bustling hub of political activity despite strict crowd restrictions.
Among the most notable figures is incumbent MP Jacob Oboth Oboth, who is seeking re-election in West Budama Central. With a decade of service under his belt, Oboth expressed unwavering confidence in his track record.
“My achievements in the constituency for the past ten years speak louder than words,” he stated. “Even the heavens know that I’m the best candidate ,I do what I say and serve people with my heart, not just with my brains.”
The race for the District Woman MP seat stands out as one of the most fiercely contested battles. Eight candidates, including the incumbent Sarah Achieng Opendi, are vying for the position amidst growing discontent regarding leadership.
Challenger Pheobe Otaala voiced the concerns of many constituents: “Women in Tororo for the last fifteen years have not had good leadership. A Woman MP is supposed to articulate issues affecting women, which has not been the case.”
Opendi countered these criticisms, highlighting her national visibility and commitment to her constituents. “I have spoken to the people of Tororo, I have spoken to the people of Uganda, and there is nowhere you will go in the country and people don’t know me,” she defended.
The nomination period also saw the emergence of new contenders, including Shyam Tanna, the son of former Tororo Municipality MP Sanjay Tanna, who aims to unseat incumbent Apollo Yeri Ofwono.
The political landscape has become particularly dynamic with several NRM primary losers returning as independents, citing grievances over irregularities in the party’s internal elections.
Furthermore, the Tororo District Returning Officer issued a stern warning to candidates against organizing large crowds during the campaign period, indicating that any violations could jeopardize their eligibility to contest.
