By Our Reporter

Bukedea — The political landscape of Kachumbala County has shifted dramatically after David Omagor officially stepped down from the parliamentary race in favor of the incumbent Member of Parliament, Patrick Isiagi Opolot. The announcement was made by Speaker of Parliament Anita Among in the presence of President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni during a gathering in Bukedea, marking a significant moment of consolidation for the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) ahead of the 2026 general elections.

Omagor’s decision is being viewed as a major boost for the NRM’s re-election efforts in the Teso Sub-region, where internal unity and strategic cooperation are expected to play a decisive role. The move effectively leaves NUP’s Charles Ongelech as the only remaining contender in the Kachumbala race, though reports suggest that his candidacy faces uncertainty amid allegations of forged nomination signatures that could lead to disqualification.

President Museveni, who presided over the event, commended Omagor’s decision to withdraw in favor of the incumbent, describing it as an act of maturity and political foresight that strengthens the party’s position in the region. He urged other party members to emulate the example, emphasizing that unity within the NRM was vital for sustaining the country’s progress.

During the same engagement, the President met with Florence Asio, the National Unity Platform (NUP) flag bearer for Bukedea. In his typically candid and humorous style, Museveni criticized the opposition party, describing it as disorganized and lacking a coherent structure. “You people of Bukedea, these NUP people are shallow and bogus. They do not even know who their members are. That lady Asio is a relative to Speaker Anita Among, and yet they thought they were going to run against her. That shows you how confused they are,” Museveni said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

The President went on to congratulate Speaker Anita Among and other NRM members from Bukedea who were elected unopposed, describing their victory as a sign of the people’s trust in the ruling party’s leadership and vision. “I want to congratulate all our NRM members who went through unopposed. That is the maturity we want in politics,people choosing the right leadership based on performance and unity,” he stated.

As his campaign tour of the Teso Sub-region nears its conclusion, Museveni urged NRM leaders and supporters not to become complacent. He encouraged them to extend their campaign efforts to other constituencies and ensure that the NRM secures a resounding victory at all political levels in the upcoming elections. “Now that you are strong here, don’t relax. Move to other areas and help your colleagues who still have tight races. We must ensure that NRM wins overwhelmingly at all levels from LC1 to Parliament and the Presidency,” he directed.

Museveni reaffirmed that the NRM’s continued leadership was central to Uganda’s stability and long-term development. “We have built this country from scratch. The roads, the schools, the electricity,all these things you see are results of our long-term vision. We cannot allow opportunists who have no plan for Uganda to destroy that progress,” he said.

Omagor’s withdrawal marks one of the most notable political developments in Kachumbala ahead of the 2026 elections, signaling both the strength of the NRM’s internal machinery and the challenges facing opposition candidates in the region. As the campaign season intensifies, observers say the ruling party’s ability to maintain unity and discipline could determine the scale of its victory across the country.