Kole North voters’ reasons for supporting MP Dr Opio Acuti’s re-election bid

A bigger majority of Kole North voters say they are rallying behind their Member of Parliament, Dr Samuel Opio Acuti, with a strong assurance of another term in the 2026 polls.

This overwhelming support follows an assessment of his numerous contributions and tangible achievements within his first four years in office, with many predicting a landslide victory after thousands publicly endorsed his second-term bid during Independence Day celebrations.

The momentum for Dr Opio is undeniable. The MP, who scored a spectacular 94.6% win during the NRM primaries, is widely expected to secure another landslide win in the upcoming general elections.

On the Independence Day anniversary, thousands of men and women, including youth of voting age, across seven locations in the constituency endorsed his re-election move.

The Independence Day celebrations, which featured traditional dances, fun games, and women’s football matches, drew enthusiastic participants from all 27 parishes and wards of Kole North.

During these events, the majority of attendees praised Dr Opio Acuti’s gigantic achievements, which have directly impacted their lives.

Among his most lauded accomplishments is the transformation of emergency healthcare, notably through the donation of an ambulance to supplement the constituency ambulance he successfully lobbied from the Ministry of Health.

His vocational training skilling programme, which has trained over 1,000 out-of-school youths in tailoring, motorcycle repair, building and construction, hairdressing, and carpentry, has positioned him as a champion for youth empowerment.

Dr Opio’s effective lobbying skills have yielded significant development projects for Kole North, voters say. These include the rural electrification of several areas, the receipt of medical equipment worth shs2 billion, the construction and upgrade of two Health Centre IIIs, and a crop insurance payout of shs440 million to farmers.

Additional successes include the receipt of over 1,000 iron sheets from the Office of the Prime Minister and the pivotal role he played in the tarmacking of the Lira-Kole-Kamdini road.

Also read: Exclusive: Lira–Kamdini road ready for commissioning

His articulate representation on the floor of Parliament has further galvanised support, allowing him to effectively raise critical issues affecting his constituents.

The electoral strength of Dr Opio was demonstrated during the NRM primaries, where he garnered 21,254 votes. His main contender in the upcoming race, Judith Alyek, who previously contested in the women’s race, secured 11,005 votes in the district woman MP NRM primaries, coming a distant second.

Speaking at events in Ayara and Wala Primary School in Okwerodot sub-county, MP Opio called for unity among women in all the different programs.

“I have organised these kinds of activities to give opportunities to our mothers to interact with their fellow friends,” he stated. In Alito Primary School and Alito town council, he announced the opening of free vocational training education schools in every sub-county and town council within Kole North.

This initiative is designed to offer youths under 35 years free knowledge in various vocational skills.

Many residents tndNews spoke to indicate that Dr Opio Acuti’s achievements in just four years have surpassed the performance of his main contender, Judith Alyek, during her ten years as Woman MP.

“She has hardly anything to show,” stated Grace Akello, a resident of Okwerodot sub-county and a beneficiary of the MP’s crop insurance initiative. “We will overwhelmingly vote for Dr Opio Acuti,” she vowed.

Another voter, Michael Adupa from Alito sub-county, questioned Alyek’s rationale for switching seats. “Hon Alyek Judith’s claims that the district has been too large for her to perform, hence coming for a constituency position, is baseless since other women MPs in other districts are performing.

“What if she fails again to perform as a constituency MP? Will she again come down and contest as an LC3 for a sub-county? She has served her term and failed us. We are happy with Dr Opio Acuti’s performance.”