By KT Reporter
The race for the Laroo-Pece Division parliamentary seat has taken a dramatic turn after independent candidate, Caesar Lubangakene withdrew from the contest.
Lubangakene, notified the Electoral Commission (EC) of his decision in a letter dated November 20.He was contesting as an Independent candidate yet he was a known NUP supporters.
Mike Jjuko, the Electoral Commission Returning Officer for Gulu City, confirmed the development to Uganda Radio Network on Wednesday, confirming that Lubangakene has been formally disqualified from the contest following his written notice of withdrawal.
Lubangakene himself acknowledged writing to the EC but claimed he was unaware that the Commission had already declared him a non-candidate. He declined to comment on the reasons for his withdrawal.
Uganda Radio Network has learned that Lubangakene’s decision followed a meeting involving him, three other candidates, and Norbert Mao the Democratic Party (DP) President General and Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs.
Sources familiar with the meeting say Mao urged the candidates to step aside and “work together” to advance what he reportedly framed as a broader national agenda behind his bid for the Laroo-Pece seat.
Though Mao has been largely quiet on electoral politics in recent years, he surprised many when he submitted his nomination earlier this month as the DP flag bearer.
During his first campaign rally in Obiya Highland Public ground on Tuesday, Mao hinted that four candidates in the Pece-Laroo parliamentary contest had made up their minds to support his candidature.
“Now that I’m speaking, you will hear four candidates who have made up their minds to support me. They will announce it by themselves,” he told supporters, adding that the candidates “want us to move together.” Mao told the crowd.
He declined to name them at the time, saying they would make public declarations “soon and in their own words.”
Lubangakene’s withdrawal now appears to confirm Mao’s earlier remarks.
Mao suggested during the rally that President Yoweri Museveni had instructed the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Secretary General to “create a constituency” for him adding that he was certain of victory and only wished to “confirm by how many votes.”
He however addressed broader themes of national succession politics assuring the crowd that the country will face a political transition and the position of the Acholi people must be present during such transition.
“Most of the top leaders in this country are about to retire, Chief Justice will retire in January, our brother Gen Otema is among the soldiers set for retirement. Who will hold the knife for the Acholi during resource allocation in the next Uganda,”? He asked.
He urged voters to elect leaders capable of influencing national decisions, arguing that strategic political positioning is vital for the Acholi community’s long-term interests.
The development now narrows the field ahead of what is expected to be a competitive contest between Mao and the incumbent, Fr. Charles Onen, who is seeking a second term in Parliament on an independent ticket.
Fr Onen in an earlier interview with URN accused Mao of attempting to trick him into contesting as a DP party flag bearer, a move he realised was meant to sabotage his political journey for the parliamentary seat.
Equally, Tony Kitara, the NRM flag bearer told URN in an interview that Mao told him there was an offer for judicial appointment for him in any case he backed down from the race.
Other candidates in the parliamentary race are Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party flag bearer Simon Opoka, Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer Geoffrey Komakech, and independents Wilfred Opobo, and Edward Odong, all independent candidates.
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