Ojede faces Obua and others for the NRM vice chairperson seat

Former Moroto County MP candidate Bobson Ziegler Ojede has declared his candidacy for NRM vice chairperson for northern Uganda.

The position has been vacant since the death of the late Jacob Oulanyah, who was both the vice chairperson of Northern Uganda and the Speaker of Parliament.

Oulanyah died on March 20, 2022, in Seattle, United States.

On February 10, 2025, in Lira City, Ojede announced his intention to run for the vacant position. His announcement comes less than a week after Denis Hamson Obua, the Ajuri county MP who also serves as the Government Chief Whip had announced his candidacy for the top position.

Ojede emphasizes the importance of allowing the NRM’s younger generation to take on leadership roles, especially given the vacancy left by the late Oulanyah.

He stated that he is committed to improving the situation within the party and addressing current challenges, and urged anyone considering running for the position to think about their leadership roles and not waste time if they are not fully committed.

The former MP candidate emphasized the lessons learned from Oulanyah’s death, noting that he held multiple positions concurrently.

The late Oulanyah was elected as the regional vice chairperson, succeeding Sam Engola, who received 1,665 votes to Oulanyah’s 7,473.

Ojede stressed the importance of individuals holding only one position at a time, as managing multiple roles can impede effective performance.

“In my analysis, the historical achievements of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in this country have significantly contributed to the development of our people. Currently, I have identified ten strategic agendas aimed at assisting the NRM in its continued leadership of the nation, which I intend to present to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni,” Ojede said.

“I have observed that while individuals are coming forward, they often lack innovative ideas. Many of these individuals have been in positions for an extended period yet have not introduced new initiatives.”

Politicians from the Acholi and West Nile sub-regions have also expressed interest in the vacant seat.