“Aregedeng dang mako”: Erute North’s MP Gwokadako beaten for NRM flag

During the NRM party primary elections on July 17, a number of incumbent Members of Parliament from the Lango sub-region were soundly defeated.

Those defeated were elected in 2021 and may be heading for political retirement after the 2026 general elections.

Christine Akello, also known as “Gwokadako,” joins the list of defeated incumbents. In 2016 and 2021, she campaigned on a slogan “Gwokadako dang mako,” translated as “A woman can also make it.”

While she did not make it in 2016, Akello was elected MP for Erute North, Lira District, in 2021.

Unfortunately, in trying to seek re-election in 2026, she lost the flag to Patrick Ongom aka “Aregedeng”.

Aregedeng received 10,615 votes against Gwokadako’s 5,229 votes.

In an interview with tndNews, Ongom cited “some irregularities,” pointing out that he received more than 10,615 votes. Other votes, he claimed, were not included.

Commenting on the outcomes of the NRM primaries and defeats of incumbent MPs, Lango political analyst Jek Etwop said the defeats signaled the end of the road for the affected MPs.

However, he cautioned those who won the flag that holding it is no guarantee of success. “They could still face defeats in the main election.”