By Okidi Patrick
GULU, UGANDA–April 28, 2026: As the political atmosphere in Uganda shifts peacefully following the just concluded 2026 general elections, the spotlight in the Acholi sub-region has turned to President Yoweri Museveni’s forthcoming cabinet reshuffle. Political observers in Acholi sub region believe that to successfully implement the national wealth creation agenda, the President must tap into the region’s most capable and tested leaders.
From seasoned NRM loyalists to strategic opposition allies, here are the top possible contenders many believe can deliver results:
- Catherine Lamwaka (MP, Omoro District)
A former Resident District Commissioner (RDC) and seasoned legislator, Lamwaka is praised for her hands-on approach. Her experience in monitoring government projects makes her a prime candidate for a docket focused on policy implementation. - Joyce Okeny Acan (MP, PWDs)
Recognized globally for her fierce advocacy, Acan has secured a mandate to lobby for increased funding for the disability sector. Her inclusion would ensure that national development remains inclusive of all citizens. - Eng. Hillary Onek Obaloker (MP-Elect, Palabek County)
At 78, the Minister for Disaster Preparedness remains a pillar of stability. Having served since 2001, Onek is seen as a survivor who successfully bridged the gap when the opposition dominated the sub-region. - Bosmic William Otim (Senior Presidential Advisor)
Despite a narrow electoral loss, the musician-turned-politician has been a massive hit as a wealth creation advisor. His ability to mobilize the youth across Northern Uganda and Karamoja makes him a strong “new blood” candidate for cabinet. - Anthony Akol (MP, Kilak North)
The Chairman of the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) made a strategic move by defecting from the FDC to the NRM to better serve his poverty-stricken constituency. An ally of Speaker Anita Among, Akol is a heavyweight ready for front-bench duties. - Lowila CD Oketayot (Woman MP-Elect, Pader)
Making a triumphant comeback in 2026, the NRM District Chairperson for Pader is a popular pick. Supporters argue that Pader has long been overlooked for ministerial slots and that Lowila is the right person to fill that gap. - Lillian Aber (State Minister & Woman MP, Kitgum)
Affectionately known as “Action,” Aber secured a landslide victory in January. As a prominent member of the PLU and current Minister for Relief, her reappointment is widely seen as a certainty given her performance. - Norbert Mao (Minister for Justice & MP-Elect, Laroo-Pece)
Returning to Parliament after defeating Fr. Charles Onen, the DP President General remains a key strategic partner for the NRM. While he has expressed interest in the Speakership, his legal and constitutional expertise remains vital to the cabinet. - Martin Ojara Mapenduzi (MP, Bardege-Layibi)
Since crossing to the NRM in 2025, Mapenduzi has proved his administrative worth as a Committee Chairperson. His victory in a highly contested primary cements his status as a leader who can deliver under the government banner. - Henry Okello Oryem (State Minister, Foreign Affairs)
Despite losing his seat in Chua East, the veteran diplomat’s expertise is undisputed. As an ex-officio member, he remains a key dignitary in high-level state functions, including the recent “Run for Hope” events. - Beatrice Akello Akori (State Minister & Woman MP, Agago)
Having secured a second term with a unanimous endorsement from her constituents, Akori remains a cornerstone of economic monitoring. Her focus on health and infrastructure in Agago makes her a reliable choice for the wealth creation drive.
12:Anywar Beatrice Odwong:
Beatrice Anywar, popularly known as “Mama Mabira,” currently serves as the Minister of State for Environment in Uganda.
However, her role as a Member of Parliament has seen recent changes following the January 2026 parliamentary elections, she lost her seat for Kitgum Municipality. She had previously won in the NRM primaries but was defeated in the general polls.
Political Shift: Originally a prominent member of FDC, she was appointed to the cabinet by President Museveni in December 2019 after aligning with the NRM.
As a minister (Ex-officio), she continues to head environmental initiatives, including advocating for an Environmental Court and pushing for stricter bans on charcoal trade.
13: Ottober Wellborn Odiya:
The former Pader District Speaker, Wellborn Ottober Odiya, has been elected as the Member of Parliament for Aruu North County.
Running on the National Resistance Movement (NRM) ticket, Odiya secured a decisive victory in the January 2026 general elections, polling 14,327 votes. He defeated his closest rival, George Kibwota of the Democratic Front (DF), who garnered 7,315 votes.
The incumbent, Santa Okot of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), finished a distant third with 4,578 votes, marking a significant shift in the constituency’s leadership.
Before his elevation to Parliament, Odiya served as the Speaker for Pader District. He had long signaled his intentions for the seat, famously declaring during a 2024 funeral service that he was the leader the locals were “yearning for”.
His victory was part of a broader “clean sweep” by the NRM in Pader District, where the party also retained the Aruu County seat through Christopher Komakech and the District Woman MP seat through Lowila Oketayot.
Odiya’s recent adress to H.E.the President from Kyankwanzi is viewed by political analysts as an advance lobby for president Museveni to appoint him to ministerial positionbsonce Pader has never gad any minister appinted by H.E.The presisent.
His statement might probably even name H.E. the president to appoint Odonga Otto, Aciro Lucy Otim, Lowila CD, Omony Ogaba or Christopher Komakech to a ministerial position.
14: Nyeko Johnson kezikiya:
Business tycoon and NRM flagbearer Johnson Nyeko Kezekiya, popularly known as “Mr. Action,” has been elected as the Member of Parliament for Lamwo County.
In the general elections held on January 15, 2026, Nyeko secured a landslide victory, polling over 16,500 votes. He unseated the incumbent, retired Maj. Anthony Abuka, who garnered approximately 3,000 votes.
Nyeko’s victory is seen as a clear decisive mandate from the people of Lamwo, who favored his “forward-looking vision” for the constituency. During his campaign, he pledged to focus on enhancing education, healthcare, and infrastructure, specifically mentioning plans for a state-of-the-art sports stadium in Paloga sub-county.
As he prepares to join the 12th Parliament for the 2026–2031 term, Nyeko faces the challenge of addressing long-standing issues in the border district, including cattle raids and poverty. He has also been a vocal advocate for local ordinances against gender-based violence, suggesting that social reform will be a key part of his legislative agenda.
Nyeko joins other re-elected leaders in the district, including Minister Hillary Onek (Palabek County) and Nancy Achora (District Woman MP), as part of a strong NRM representation for Lamwo. He can empower the people of Acholi sub region very well if given the mandate in the cabinet slot.
15: Rt. Hon. SG Richard Todwong continues to serve as the Secretary General (SG) of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) as of late April 2026.
Following the January 2026 general elections, Todwong has been credited as the “architect” of the NRM’s decisive victory. Under his management of the party
NRM Leaders’ Retreat: Throughout mid-April 2026, Todwong led a major party retreat at the National Leadership Institute (NALI) in Kyankwanzi.During the retreat, he presented the 2026–2031 NRM Manifesto, emphasizing a transition toward a “higher middle-income status” and household wealth creation.April 26, 2026, he led an NRM delegation to Burundi for high-level talks with the ruling CNDD-FDD party, advocating for regional political stability.Todwong’s current focus remains on implementing the party’s new five-year roadmap and consolidating internal party discipline after the 2026 polls.
16: Okumu Ronald Reagan : Is a prominent Ugandan politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Aswa County for 25 consecutive years, from 1996 until 2021. He was a founding member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and served as the party’s Vice President for the Northern region.
After representing Aswa County since the 1996 general elections, Okumu lost his seat in the 2021 general election. He was defeated by the National Resistance Movement (NRM) .
Regan Okumu remains a respected figure in the Acholi sub-region, known for his “political influence in Acholi ” during the years of conflict in Northern Uganda.
17: Prof. Morris .W.Ogenga Latigo:
He is a distinguished Ugandan politician who previously served as the Member of Parliament for Agago County, and Agago North respectively and the Leader of the Opposition (2006–2010).
Following the January 2021 general elections, he lost his seat in Agago North to the National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate, John Amos . Recent results from the January 2026 parliamentary elections show a shift in Agago leadership, with Benson Lugwar now listed as the representative for Agago North in the 12th Parliament.Since his 2021 defeat, Prof. Latigo has largely retreated into private life, focusing on his farm and improving agricultural production in Northern
He made history as the first Leader of the Opposition under Uganda’s multi-party system (2006–2010) while representing the FDC.
Academic Background: He is a renowned agricultural scientist and former professor at Makerere University, specializing in research on cassava and plant viruses.
Independent Stance: In 2020, he broke away from the FDC and contested the 2021 elections as an Independent candidate, citing internal party disagreements.
Prof. Latigo remains an influential voice in the Acholi sub-region, frequently providing expert commentary on national issues such as land governance, the oil debate, and the need for national dialogue. He led a delwgation to president Museveni in 2014 where the issue of Amuru Sugar work in Atiak was extensively discused at State House Entebbe. HEe has Tangi river farm in Purongo.
18: ACIRO LUCY OTIM: She is the former Member of Parliament for Aruu North County. Following the January 2026 general elections, she was defeated in her bid to return to the 12th Parliament. Ottober Wellborn Odiya of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) is the newly elected MP for Aruu North. He won with 14,327 votes.
Lucy Aciro Otim contested the Pader District Woman MP seat in the 2026 elections under the Democratic Front (DF) party, rather than the Aruu North constituency seat. She finished third with 3,847 votes, losing to the NRM incumbent Lowila CD Oketayot.
The Aruu North seat was previously held by Santa Okot (People’s Progressive Party), who defeated Aciro in the 2021 elections and finished third in the 2026 race.
10th Parliament: Aciro served as the MP for Aruu North after winning a 2017 by-election as an independent. Her initial 2016 victory had been nullified by the Supreme Court due to non-compliance with electoral laws.
During her time in the house, she served as a Shadow Cabinet Minister for Gender, Labour, and Social Development.
19: OLANYA GILBERT: Dr. Gilbert Olanya continues to serve as the Member of Parliament for Kilak South in Amuru District. He was re-elected to the 12th Parliament in the January 2026 general elections, where he maintained his seat on the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket. Following his successful re-election in January 2026, he remains an active legislator. Most recently, on April 23, 2026, he was noted for challenging the speedy processing of the Sovereignty Bill in Parliament. In late 2025, he was unveiled as the FDC Chairperson for Amuru District.
He remains a key figure for the opposition in the Acholi sub-region.
Acholi Parliamentary Group: He continues to serve as the Secretary General of the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG).
Dr. Olanya is known for his vocal stance on land rights and regional issue affecting Acholi people, often acting as a bridge between high-level opposition leadership and the grassroots leadership in Northern Uganda. He is a tied friend to former Aruu County MP Hon Dr. Samuel Odonga Otto.
20: Dr.Samuel Odonga Otto:
Former Member of Parliament for Aruu County, Pader District,is currently involved in a high-stakes legal battle following the 2026 Ugandan General Elections. After losing the Aruu County parliamentary seat to incumbent MP Christopher Komakech by just 26 votes, Otto has formally taken active roles in TV talk shows. Can serve as a cabinet minister in Musevenis cabinet because he even campaign and distributed NRM T-Shirts in Pader during campaigns.
About the Author
This is a wounderfull development as compare to other mp