Political intrigue rocks Alebtong as NRM official disavows flagbearer

A deep internal rift has hit the National Resistance Movement(NRM) in Alebtong district with a senior party official openly calling for voters to reject the party’s flagbearer for Woman MP seat.

Alebtong district NRM publicity secretary, Patrick Okullu Okeng, has urged the people of Alebtong to vote for an independent candidate instead of the NRM’s official nominee.

He claims this drastic step is a response to the “unfree and unfair” political manipulations that occurred during the party’s primaries.

Addressing journalists on Thursday in Lira City, Okullu stated that the NRM primaries conducted nationwide on July 17, 2025, were marred by irregularities in Alebtong especially in electing woman representative (MP) flagbearer.

He alleged that the true winner was declared the loser, and the loser was declared the winner.

“The former Alebtong District Woman Member of Parliament, Christine Acen, won the election,” Okullu announced. “But unfortunately, her opponent, Dr Lakica Mercy, whom I accuse of being the beneficiary, used a massive amount of money to be declared the winner. As NRM leaders, we are not going to tolerate this in the main election.”

Okullu, who also serves as a clan leader, explained that this division within the NRM would not negatively affect the votes for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni or the Government Chief Whip, Denis Hamson Obua.

However, he admitted it would severely damage the prospects of the NRM’s flag bearer for the Woman Representative seat.

He further justified his position by questioning the flagbearer’s maturity. “Alebtong district needs a mother, not a girl, to represent us in the 12th Parliament. We have vibrant, tested, and trusted leaders like Denis Hamson Obua and Christine Acen, not a flagbearer who is still below 30 years old,” Okullu argued.

Using a local proverb to emphasise his point, he added, “What a big person has seen, a child can also see, even if he has climbed a tree.”

When contacted for comment, the district NRM chairperson, Robert Ocen, acknowledged the incident but downplayed its impact on the president’s performance.

He assured the public that President Museveni would still secure over 90% of the vote in Alebtong, citing ongoing efforts to court supporters of the UPC, which has no presidential candidate.

“Before the official campaign commenced, we held a meeting with over 40 NRM structures to embrace all our flag bearers from the top to the bottom,” Ocen added, expressing confidence in the party’s unity.

Meanwhile, repeated calls to Dr Lakica Mercy, the NRM flagbearer at the center of the controversy, went unanswered.

She is contesting for the Alebtong district Woman Member of Parliament seat against other candidates, including independent Christine Acen, and UPC’s Caro Aduk, among others.