For most politicians, a parliamentary election that is still five years away may seem too distant to worry about. But for Desmond Philips Otema, the 2031 general election is already a political destination he is preparing to reach.
The young man from Okarowok Bako Clan, born in Ogengo Ward in Lira City East Division, says he intends to contest for the area’s parliamentary seat in the 13th Parliament, setting himself up for what could become a highly competitive race.
Otema, who describes himself as a Lango, says his decision to seek the seat is driven by what he sees as a disconnect between government programmes and the people they are intended to benefit, particularly young people and women.
He argues that although the government allocates money every financial year for programmes targeting youth, women and other citizens, many residents are not benefiting fully because of what he describes as a lack of effective representation and guidance on how to access the opportunities.
“I want to bridge the gap between the central government and the local government,” Otema says, arguing that a legislator should not only sit in Parliament but also help constituents understand and utilise government programmes.
His political pitch also centres on the challenges facing Lira City East Division, including poor roads, poverty and what he describes as shortages of medicines in government health facilities. He says these are among the issues he would push to have addressed if voters entrust him with their mandate.
But before entering the political arena, Otema has been building a career and academic profile that he hopes will strengthen his credentials. He started his education at Railways Primary School, where he sat his Primary Leaving Examinations before joining Aculbanya Secondary School for Senior One.
He later transferred to Hill City College, where he completed his Uganda Certificate of Education. For his A-Level studies, he moved to Mbale in eastern Uganda, where he completed the Uganda Advanced Certificate of Education before joining Kyambogo University for a Bachelor’s degree in Public Administration.
Otema is currently employed by Vivo Energy as a quality marshal and is pursuing postgraduate studies in finance management at Lira University. He says his professional and academic experiences have exposed him to different aspects of administration, management, and service delivery.
His entry into the 2031 race, however, would come at a time when Lira City East Division already has a sitting legislator. Denis Alyela Omodi of the National Resistance Movement took oath as the area MP in May 2026 after winning the parliamentary election, making him only a few months into his first term in the 12th Parliament.
With the next election still years away, Omodi’s performance will likely be closely watched by both constituents and potential challengers. Political conversations in the division have also continued to generate speculation about possible contenders, although some of the names being mentioned have not publicly confirmed their intentions.
Among those linked to a possible return is James Ocen Agipi of the Uganda People’s Congress, whom Omodi defeated in the recent parliamentary contest. There has also been speculation that Agipi could cross to the NRM and seek the seat again, although this remains unconfirmed.
Former Amolatar’s Kyoga County MP Moses Jr Okot Bitek has also been mentioned in political circles after his reported move from the Forum for Democratic Change to the NRM. Another name circulating is former Lira District’s Erute South County MP Jonathan Odur of UPC, although claims that he could seek the Lira City East seat in 2031 have also not been confirmed.
For Otema, however, the identities of his potential opponents do not appear to concern him. He says he is prepared to face anyone who decides to contest, including candidates with considerably more political experience.
He says the only political figures he would not describe himself as willing to fight are President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni and Chief of Defence Forces Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba, whom he says he respects and honours. Beyond that, he says, no rival scares him.
His political affiliation remains unclear, however. Otema has not publicly settled the question of which political party he will use to pursue his parliamentary ambition. His background in what he describes as an NRM family has prompted speculation about whether he could eventually align himself with the the ruling NRM party or the Patriotic League of Uganda, but he has not formally confirmed either position.
That uncertainty could become important as the race takes shape. Lira City East is likely to attract politicians with established networks, previous electoral experience and strong party structures, making Otema’s first attempt at parliamentary politics a significant test of whether personal ambition can be converted into an effective grassroots campaign.
Still, Otema appears unfazed by the political names already being associated with the constituency. His argument is that five years can change political fortunes and that voters will ultimately judge leaders on what they deliver rather than the strength of their names.
For now, his challenge is to turn his message into a political organisation capable of reaching voters across Lira City East. Whether he can do that and whether his ambition survives the twists and turns of Uganda’s political landscape before 2031, remains to be seen.
But one thing is clear: Otema is putting his name on the political map early, and he is signalling that he intends to be part of the battle for Lira City East when the 13th Parliament is decided.