Lango Opposition Leaders Defy Akena, Endorse Museveni for 2026 Elections
By Okidi Patrick
LIRA, UGANDA – November 15, 2025: A significant political fissure has opened within Uganda’s opposition ranks in the Lango sub-region, as 17 prominent leaders from the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) and the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) publicly disowned their party leadership’s anti-Museveni stance and instead threw their support behind President Yoweri Museveni for the 2026 general elections.
The announcement, made during a press briefing in Lira City on Friday, November 15, 2025, directly contradicts a recent directive issued by UPC President Jimmy Akena, who had explicitly warned party supporters against voting for or supporting the incumbent NRM Presidential flag bearer Gen Yoweri Museveni in 2026 general election.
The delegation, which included high-ranking regional officials, stated that the development and peace brought by Museveni’s administration outweigh party loyalty.
Geoffrey Alex Ogwal, the LCV Chairperson for Kwania District, who headed the team, stressed that the Lango region could not afford to isolate itself from the rest of the nation regarding development goals.
“Museveni’s leadership has brought peace and development to Lango; we cannot ignore that,” Ogwal stated. “Our goal is to ensure continued stability and progress for our communities.”
The split comes just weeks after Akena, during the UPC manifesto launch in Lira City, advised his supporters to refrain from giving their vote to the current President.However, the dissenting leaders emphasized that Akena’s directive does not represent the collective views of party members in the sub-region, noting that tangible infrastructural improvements justified their decision.
Brian Ogutu, the FDC Secretary for Mobilization for Northern region, cited specific examples of government achievements. “We demonstrated about the Lira-Kamdini road, and now the Lira-Kamdini road exists. The Akii-Bua stadium is also being constructed,” Ogutu noted, suggesting that these developments were the reason for their shift of allegiance.
Chris Ongom, the UPC Northern Regional Vice Chairperson, stated that the decision was rooted in a genuine desire for unity and national development rather than strict adherence to party lines.
“We strongly disassociate ourselves from the recent directive by the UPC president,” Ongom said. “Our support is for the President in his capacity as an individual, and Lango voters remain free to choose leaders of their preference at local and legislative levels.”
Ogwal echoed this nuance, clarifying that the endorsement was personal to the President and should not be misinterpreted as a blanket shift of support to the NRM party at all levels. “Our support is for the President as an individual, not for NRM flag bearers,” he reiterated. “We urge our colleagues in UPC and FDC to join us in promoting unity, peace, and development in Lango and Uganda.”
Political analysts suggest that the statement may signal a broader shift ahead of the 2026 elections, with influential individuals and groups within traditional opposition parties increasingly prioritizing perceived local stability and development over strict allegiance to national party directives.
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