Tension Rises in Lira City East as UPC’s Ocen Agipi and NRM’s Alyela Omodi Claim Victory Ahead of 2026 MP Race.
By Okidi Patrick
LIRA CITY – November 18, 2025. Political temperatures are soaring in Lira City East Division as the race for the Parliamentary seat heats up, defined by who will own the highest number of votes in a real contest between the Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) flag bearer, Hon. Ocen James (Agipi), and the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, Alyela Omodi Denis.
With the next general election scheduled for January 15, 2026, the rhetoric has reached fever pitch, with Ocen vowing a landslide victory while Alyela dismisses his opponent as a mere political entertainer and a comedian.
Addressing supporters during a passionate rally at Angwetangwet Ward on Tuesday, UPC’s Ocen James claimed God zspoke to him quoting Isaiah 6:8 , hence backing for his candidature and confidently predicted a decisive win.
“I vow to win NRM’s Alyela Denis with over 70 percent come January 15, 2026,” Ocen declared to the gathered crowd.
Ocen, commonly known as ‘Ocen Gift Life,’ leveraged his campaign to detail his spiritual motivation, citing a profound experience guiding his political ambition.
“God came to me at night and talked to me about who to send and lead his people of Lira City East, quoting Isaiah 6:8 and asking who can lead his people,” Ocen recounted. “I replied to God that He should send me to lead his people. That is why God has ever blessed me to win even the recent UPC party primary election.”
Ocen secured his party ticket after winning the UPC primary election for Lira City East Division with over 60 percent of the vote.
NRM Rival Omodi Alyela Brands Ocen ‘A Comedian’
However, the NRM flag bearer has met Ocen’s confidence with outright scorn. In an interview with TAYARI NEWS UGANDA, on Tuesday evening, Hon. Omodi Alyela Denis labelled Ocen James a “joker and a comedian who cannot be compared with him who has a national agenda “
Alyela, who maintains he is focused on “issues of national importance,” vowed to end his rival’s political career permanently by emerging victorious on the 15th January , 2026.
“I will make Ocen Agipi run away out of politics for good,” Alyela stated emphatically, assuring the people of Lira City that he represents serious leadership, unlike a “political comedian” such as James Ocen.
Ocen James, who hails from Boke and grew up in a Christian family, is banking on his local roots and a history of community service to secure the seat.
His brief biography highlights his path from selling milk to support himself to becoming a community health advocate. After passing his O and A levels with high marks in biology and working in the Lango Cooperative Union (LCU) for six years, Ocen started a medical center, motivated by the high rates of infant mortality and health complications in the area.
At the Angwetangwet rally, Ocen Agipi urged the Lango community to raise the standard of service delivery by voting for him. He pointedly contrasted his commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic with the alleged indifference of his rivals.
Ocen cited the harsh situation where he suffered alongside the people of Lira City during the pandemic, unlike “his rivals who never suffered with the local population.”
The rally also saw prominent radio presenter Sam Brunus Aliga urge UPC supporters to vote for Ocen James and Hon. Betty Amongi, stressing that their election would lead to better service delivery.
As the election date nears, Hon. Ocen Agipi confirmed he is ready to face Alyela Denis and other contenders in what is shaping up to be one of the most contentious parliamentary races in Northern Uganda since another independent candidates Hon. Apenyo Isaac is also gaining support for the same position of Lira city East Division MP seat.
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