By Mike Rwothomio

In a vibrant display of political fervor, Zombo District became a key battleground in Uganda’s electoral arena as the Electoral Commission (EC) launched a two-day nationwide nomination exercise for parliamentary candidates.

 The process, a pivotal step toward the January 15, 2026, general elections, saw eight aspirants cleared in Zombo for the Okoro County, Ora County, and Woman MP seats, setting the stage for a competitive race in this northern swing constituency.

The exercise, concluding October 23, primes the campaign trail starting November 10.

Zombo’s nomination day turned the District EC offices on Ofaka Road, Paidha Town Council, into a pulsating hub of political activity.

 Returning Officer Emmanuel Ogwang, commencing verifications at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, October 22, cleared eight candidates by day’s end, paving the way for a multi-cornered contest marked by vibrant processions and zealous supporter rallies.

 “This is a fair and open process; submit campaign plans early for the harmonization meeting on November 4,” Ogwang declared, vowing rigorous oversight as Zombo’s electoral battles intensify.

Four candidates were cleared for Okoro County, two for Ora County, and two for the Woman MP seat.

 These aspirants now confront Zombo’s volatile electorate, driven by demands for improved infrastructure, employment, and youth opportunities.

Okoro County Race:

Eng. Simon D’Ujanga (Independent), a former Okoro County MP and State Minister for Energy, was nominated on October 22.

The seasoned technocrat centered his campaign on a revivalist platform, emphasizing electrification and governance reform. 

“I’ll start where I stopped: extending electrification to every household, coordinating with the central government for true transformation,” he stated, aiming to resume his legacy of rural power expansion.

Gabriel Okumu (NRM), the incumbent Okoro County MP, reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to National Resistance Movement priorities, focusing on government-led development in roads, electricity, and jobs. 

“I assure my electorate that all the government programs we’ve advocated for will deliver tangible gains in roads, jobs, and power to every home,” Okumu pledged post-nomination.

Sunday Omirambe (Independent), a journalist-pastor-entrepreneur, called for grassroots unity and economic uplift through job creation and infrastructure.

 “The commission’s fairness shines today; my agenda? Unity, job creation, infrastructure, key priorities to unite and uplift Okoro’s people,” he said, leveraging his open-minded approach to connect with youth and undecided voters while emphasizing transparency and inclusivity.

Vincent Orach Ocaya (Independent) premised his campaign on youth empowerment and economic connectivity to end regional isolation. Positioning himself as a dynamic advocate for marginalized groups, he stated, “I bring real value, stronger lobbies for youth empowerment and economic bridges to end our isolation.”

Ora County Race:

Lawrence Songa Biyika (Independent), the incumbent Ora County MP, pledged to complete ongoing projects in roads, health, and education to uplift Ora County and Zombo at large.

 “I’ve achieved about 70 percent and have 30 percent left. I’ll accomplish core initiatives in the pipeline, roads, health, education to benefit Ora and all of Zombo,” he said, rallying support for President Museveni and his leadership.

Collins Jakony (People’s Front for Freedom) promised strengthened parliamentary representation to secure resources and accountability for Ora’s voters. “I’ll be the vital bridge between Ora voters and Parliament, delivering accountability and resources straight to you,” he declared.

Zombo Woman MP Race

Sarah Adong (Democratic Party) vowed fierce advocacy to tackle poor roads and underdevelopment, positioning herself as a champion for Zombo’s women, youth, and agrarian communities. 

“Today marks the dawn of desired change; Zombo needs a capable champion like me, strong voices for roads, jobs, and transformation in Parliament,” she asserted.

Topista Acamfua (Independent) called for inclusive representation prioritizing women, youth, and families, with a focus on unity-driven development.

 “Unity drives progress; I’ll mindfully represent your interests, women, youth, and families first for holistic gains,” she noted, presenting herself as a non-partisan unifier appealing to diverse voter groups with a community-centric message.

Zombo’s nominations, marked by spirited supporter rallies and bold pledges, reflect Uganda’s polarized electoral landscape, with infrastructure, jobs, and youth empowerment dominating candidate platforms.

 As nominations conclude on October 23, candidates must submit campaign schedules within 10 days, with rallies set to commence following the November 4 harmonization meeting.

With over 150 candidates cleared nationwide and a projected 1,500+ aspirants, Uganda’s 2026 elections promise a fiercely contested political showdown.

Additional Zombo candidates are slated for nomination on Thursday, October 23.

The EC, led by Chairperson Justice Simon Byabakama, is overseeing nominations for 353 constituency seats, 146 district woman representative positions, and 20 special interest group slots, requiring a UGX 3 million fee and 10 voter endorsements.

Developing story.

Mike Rwothomio is news editor at zoomer Africa your number one grassroot informations