Kole MPs call for unity ahead of NRM primaries

On Friday, May 23, 2025, excitement and jubilation filled the air as Lillian Anyati Winn, 65, was declared the new NRM district chairperson of Kole.

She defeated Moses Andrew Awany, president of the ULGA and chairperson of Kole LC5.

Joseph Ogwal Oyuku, the NRM Kole district registrar, declared Anyati the winner and Awany the loser, confirming that Anyati received 231 votes to Awany’s 96.

Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti, MP for Kole North, praised the election as free and fair while speaking to journalists following the results.

“This outcome demonstrates progress for Kole, and I believe it will encourage more people to join the NRM,” he said.

Opio commended the registrar for upholding transparency and urged unsuccessful candidates to unite behind the party.

“Kole is vast, but I trust the new chairperson will foster unity. We will continue collaborating with Andrew Moses Awany for the district’s development,” he added.

Northern Youth MP Boniface Okot thanked President Yoweri Museveni for promoting democracy within the NRM. “This election reflects the will of the people—they have chosen a leader of integrity,” he said.

Okot, who is eyeing the Kole South parliamentary seat in 2026, expressed confidence in Anyati’s leadership. “She will unite Kole, which has struggled with corruption and division.

“As for Andrew Awany, I will challenge him for the parliamentary seat from the primaries onward,” he declared.

Okot emphasized the need for youthful leadership, citing Uganda’s history of young leaders like former President Obote. “We must reject division and embrace unity to move forward,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lango Parliamentary Group chairperson and Kole Woman MP Judith Alyek welcomed the results and called for harmony among members. “We are one family; let us support our elected leaders,” she urged.

Alyek, who won the district women league chairperson race with 50 out of 55 votes, stressed the importance of solidarity.

“Let us avoid infighting and jealousy. Together, we will secure victory in both the primaries and the general election—and continue supporting President Museveni,” she said.

Awany conceded defeat and pledged to work with Anyati but maintained his intention to contest the Kole South seat in 2026.

However, he accused four Kole MPs of openly supporting his opponent.

Anyati has promised to unite Kole district NRM leaders for the betterment of the local community.