Lira, Uganda – Lira District Chairperson LCV, RCM Okello Orik, is facing mounting criticism over allegations of uneven road grading, favoring Erute North Constituency at the expense of Erute South.
The accusations were raised on Tuesday February 25, 2025 during the burial of the late Tonny Oteng in Abolet, Itek Subcounty, where political leaders clashed over service delivery and the district’s future.
While addressing thousands of mourners, former Lira District Chairperson Alex Oremo Alot called on Okello Orik to ensure fair distribution of roadworks across both constituencies.
Oremo warned that failure to correct the imbalance could cost Okello Orik politically in the 2026 elections.
“Ours is a government of fairness. The people of Erute South deserve the same level of service as those in Erute North. If Okello Orik does not style up, he might struggle politically in the next election,” Oremo stated.
He also dismissed ongoing efforts to create a new district out of Lira, arguing that the area lacks sufficient revenue-generating projects to sustain it.
“This push for a new district is purely political. Okello Orik is only pushing for it because he fears losing the next election,” Oremo added.
In response, Okello Orik denied the accusations, insisting that road grading is being done evenly across the district.
He claimed that some leaders and locals were threatening him over the issue, but urged the community to remain calm.
“As district leaders, we are committed to ensuring equal service delivery. Claims that I am favoring Erute North over Erute South are false. Some politicians are inciting the public against me because of my stance on relocating the district headquarters to Ogur. But that decision was made by the district council, not me,” Okello Orik stated.
He further confirmed that a request for the creation of a new district has already been submitted, with a proposed headquarters in Erute South to balance leadership between the two constituencies.
Florence Ongina Adupa, who has declared interest in contesting for Lira District Woman MP in 2026, called on voters to remove underperforming leaders.
“It is time for the people of Lira to vote wisely. We must elect leaders based on development, not party affiliations. If a leader has failed to deliver, they must go,” Adupa said.
However, NRM’s Lira District spokesperson, Ocen Jacob, dismissed challengers to the incumbent Woman MP, Linda Agnes Auma, urging voters to rally behind NRM.
“Those planning to contest should think twice. They are wasting their time because NRM remains the only party that can deliver real development,” Ocen asserted.
Senior Presidential Advisor on Lango Affairs, Sam Engola, who is also vying for the Erute South MP seat, criticized the trend of politicians using funerals as campaign platforms.
“Our cultural leaders must ensure that funerals remain places of mourning, not politics. Leaders should take their campaigns to markets and trading centers, not burials,” Engola warned.
He praised the late Tonny Oteng for his dedication to the NRM party, recognizing his role in mobilizing supporters in Lango.
The political battle in Lira is intensifying as the 2026 elections draw closer, with service delivery, road infrastructure, and district restructuring at the center of the debate.