By Mike Rwothomio

In a seismic shift, National Resistance Movement (NRM) party members in Zombo district overwhelmingly elected new faces to lead the district party structure during the highly charged polls held on Friday, May 23, 2025.

The tightly contested election, conducted at Zumbu Upper Primary School playground in Zombo Town Council, was closely overseen by the District Security Committee, chaired by Resident District Commissioner Festus Ayikubua, ensuring a smooth and successful process.

In the race for NRM District Chairperson, Thorach Grace clinched a narrow victory with 255 votes, defeating incumbent Tom Joram, who secured 247 votes. Hassan Ringtho, Zombo’s Council Speaker, trailed with 10 votes out of the 512 total ballots cast.

Thorach’s eight-vote margin ended Joram’s nearly decade-long tenure as party chair.

For Thorach, the win marks a triumphant comeback after years of unsuccessful bids for the Woman MP seat in the former Nebbi and Zombo districts.

The MP for Ora County Songa Biyika Lawrence congratulated the elected members and called for their support from the electorates.

Recently, she has been rallying support for another parliamentary run in Zombo, though it remains unclear if she will pursue that ambition following this victory.

During her campaign speech at Zumbu Upper Primary School, Thorach appealed to voters, saying, “I have failed enough times. This time, I hope you will choose me to lead.”

In the Vice Chairperson race, Okura Alfred emerged victorious with 270 votes, defeating Charles Munguryek (188 votes), Nimungu Denis (27 votes), and Onegiu Sisto Umika (16 votes).

Incumbent Secretary General Boris Ringtho retained his position with a commanding 260 votes, fending off vocal NRM mobilizer Stephen Okwaimungu (90 votes), Felix Oyergiu (69 votes), and Tony Atyerunimngu (34 votes).

For Publicity Secretary, Sadiki Onencan, a Paidha Town Council district councilor, secured a landslide victory with 365 votes against Bosco Aduni’s 113.

While the election was largely free and fair, tensions flared among youth voters, with West Nile Queen Patricia Jane Alobo alleging procedural irregularities by the District NRM Registrar.

The hour-long fracas, sparked by a disputed nomination process, saw frustrated youths, including Alobo, demand transparency, with some chanting, “Why force candidates on us? Let us nominate and vote!”

Security personnel intervened, and the situation was resolved after the registrar addressed the concerns.

Amos Jacan, Zombo’s Youth Chairperson, attributed the unrest to a minor misunderstanding that was swiftly resolved.

District NRM Registrar Prisca Onegiu confirmed all complaints were addressed, restoring calm among the youth.

The incumbent NRM chairperson Tom Joram embrace the new NRM Party Chairperson Grace Thorach  

, after she was declared the winner.

However, discontent lingered in some quarters. Masendi Roy Alali, a Zeu Sub-County district councilor, criticized the election, lamenting, “How can all leaders come from Okoro County? This suggests Ora County’s leadership is sidelined.”

Ora County MP Songa Biyika Lawrence praised voters for their choices and urged support for the new leadership to ensure party resources reach grassroots levels.

“Let’s back our leaders to deliver development to Zombo’s villages,” he said in an interview.

Okoro County MP Gabriel Okumu hailed the unity displayed, stating, “NRM is a stronghold in Zombo. Let’s rally together to mobilize for the party, from here to the presidency.”

Post-Election Reflections

In a display of political maturity, defeated incumbent Tom Joram and victor Thorach Grace shared a reconciliatory embrace after the results were announced.

Boris Ringtho, the re-elected Secretary General, credited his victory to “honesty and loyalty,” expressing gratitude to voters.

Hassan Ringtho, the Council Speaker who lost the chairperson race, graciously accepted the outcome and pledged to collaborate with the new leadership for Zombo’s progress.

The newly elected NRM leaders now face the formidable challenge of addressing voter frustrations, particularly over the government’s failure to fulfill repeated promises to tarmac the 119-km Nebbi-Goli-Paidha-Warr-Vurra road, a key issue fueling discontent in the district.

Other positions contested included youth and special interest group representatives, amongst others.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa