Dozens of members from across the political divide—including the National Unity Platform (NUP), National Resistance Movement (NRM), Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) in Alebtong district have pledged their support for Leo Elem in his bid for the Moroto County parliamentary seat.
This unusual gesture of cross-party backing comes as Uganda prepares for the 2026 general elections, with various political parties nominating candidates to contest for positions in accordance with the Electoral Commission’s roadmap.
Speaking to our reporter on Thursday, September 11, 2025, Jimmy Okabo, a NUP supporter from Apala sub-county, declared Leo Elem—the UPC candidate—as the best choice for Moroto County.
“For what he has done for the entire constituency, even though he is not yet our MP,” Okabo stated. “We are backing him.”
Okabo criticized the incumbent, saying, “Since the current MP joined Parliament in 2016, Moroto County has been left behind. This time, we are not voting for someone who has done nothing; we need accountability.”
This sentiment was echoed by Adongo Hellen, a 60-year-old strong NRM supporter from Aloi town council. She said, “The only person out of those who want to take over Okwir Odwe’s seat is Elem Leo because of his integrity, loyalty, and his consistent cooperation with everyone without segregation.”
Hellen outlined her voting plan: “I will vote for President Yoweri Museveni, then I will vote for Hon. Leo Elem. I will not vote for the current MP. My reason is based on service delivery; what Hon. Elem has done in less than a year surpasses the ten years of the incumbent.”
Patrick Okeng, a resident of Oloo village in Aloi sub-county, thanked Elem for his timely intervention. “For many years, we were crying like children without their mother,” Okeng said. “But Elem has come to raise our voice; he is the voice for the voiceless.”
Adding to the chorus of support, Bonny Otim, a strong FDC member from Akura Sub-county, declared, “Enough is enough. There is a time for everything. We, the young generation, have seen that the incumbent has failed to unite the youth. We shall back Hon. Elem Leo for the Moroto County seat.”
Leo Elem’s popularity was demonstrated in the recent UPC party primaries, where he won a landslide victory with 87.7% of the vote. His opponents, Kennedy Obote and Denis Opio Eila, shared just 12.3%, with Obote securing 8% and Opio trailing at 4.3%.
Denis Opio Eila, a former NRM aspirant for Moroto County in the 2021 general elections, had crossed to UPC in 2024 hoping to gain support from party president Jimmy Micheal Akena Obote but managed only a minimal share of the vote.
The results were declared at 11 pm on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the Alebtong District Council Hall by Simon Ojok Daniel, the UPC electoral commission officer.
Elem, the Principal of St. Gracious Schools in Lira, was announced as the newly elected UPC flag bearer after securing 2,481 votes.
Confident in his vision for Moroto County, Elem promised to challenge rival parties. “I have come to pass, not to lose. The people of Moroto have entrusted the flag to the right person.”
Since entering politics, Elem’s influence has grown steadily, with his grassroots engagement and strong community initiatives outperforming even the incumbent MP, according to his supporters.
This has positioned him as a formidable contender, and the current MP for Moroto County, Samuel Okwir Odwee of the NRM, now faces a tough re-election battle.
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