By KT Reporter
The NRM candidate for Bardege-Layibi Division in Gulu City, Martin Ojara Mapenduzi, has called for unity among party members and voters as campaigns for the 2026 general elections gain momentum.
Launching his campaign on Monday in Keyo A and B cells in Kasubi Ward, Mapenduzi, who is also the incumbent MP, urged voters to work closely with party structures, emphasizing harmony and team spirit.
“Work with the party structural leaders, work together with your local leaders. Let us be united. I do not like discrimination, and I hate things that embarrass people. Let us live with one spirit,” he said.
Mapenduzi acknowledged that the party experienced conflicts during the recent internal elections, including hate speech among contenders, but said it is now time for all members to come together for the good of the party and the community.
He encouraged voters to support unity among NRM candidates rather than holding onto divisions.
His call follows a deepening rift within the NRM in Gulu City, with some members openly supporting opposition candidates, while others who lost the primaries have opted to run as independents.
Bosmic Joyce Otim, who lost the NRM primary to Mapenduzi, is backing Democratic Party (DP) candidate Lyandro Komakech, who is running against Mapenduzi.
The former Ugandan Ambassador to Egypt, Michael Ochula, an NRM member, is contesting as an independent.
Pr. Robert Roy Olal, the former NRM candidate for the Bardege-Layibi seat in the 2021/2025 term but who lost again, said unity is crucial for strengthening the party.
“To me, rallying behind Hon. Martin Mapenduzi is one key way of demonstrating unity in the party. If we are not united, the party cannot progress, but if we are united, we can achieve many things. A house divided cannot stay strong,” Olal said.
Doreen Aber Luboyo, the female councillor for Bardege-Layibi North, who also lost the NRM flag for her seat to Atim Concy Oyeke, urged the people of Acholi to embrace love and unity.
What Voters Say
Beatrice Ajok, a resident of Keyo A cell, appealed to community members to unite and vote for competence.
Mapenduzi said his manifesto will align with the broader NRM agenda. He pledged to lobby for increased funds for village savings groups initiated by President Yoweri Museveni, and to advocate for Parish Development Model (PDM) funds to be allocated based on the number of households in each ward.
He also promised to follow up on electrification in annexed areas of Bardege-Layibi Division that still lack electricity.
Bardege-Layibi Division has attracted five parliamentary candidates. The others are independent candidate Michael Nyeko Ocula, National Unity Platform (NUP) candidate Robinson Akena, Democratic Party’s Lyandro Komakech, and Alliance for National Transformation (ANT) candidate Robert Mugabe.
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