Amolatar, Uganda | Over 100 supporters of rival NRM aspirants in Kioga Constituency have defected to support Col. Dr. John Francis Ongia, a retired senior army officer and parliamentary hopeful, citing his strong government connections, military background, and practical development agenda.
The defectors, 97 from Olyaka Parish, 9 from Aguludia Parish, and 5 from Gozwe Parish, all in Namasale Subcounty, were previously aligned with NRM aspirants Felix Adupa Ongwech and Lawrence Odongo Jago.
During a press briefing on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at Olyaka Parish, defectors’ representative Owak Robert stated that he had studied Col. Dr. Ongia’s manifesto, connections, and network with the government and found him to be the best candidate to transform Kioga.
He said that since the Head of State is a military officer, Ongia — also from the army — would relate well with fellow officers and attract development, as seen in other constituencies with military-background MPs.
Owak added that Ongia was a good person and urged Kioga voters to support him.
Col. Dr. Ongia, a native of Alwala Village who retired from the military in August 2024, while addressing the gathering, noted that unlike past governments of Idi Amin, Apollo Milton Obote, and Tito Okello, which came and went, the NRM government had remained in power since 1986.
He stressed that this government is still strong and not going anywhere.
He added that Uganda now needed leaders with strong military credentials who are well-known by top decision-makers, pointing to his own suitability.
He further observed that the current government tends to prioritize leaders with military backgrounds in ministerial appointments and national resource allocation.
Ongia asked the people of Kioga to give him five years to prove his ability to deliver meaningful development.
Ongia criticized former leaders of Kioga for lacking access to the central government, arguing that this had led to underdevelopment in the constituency.
He claimed that many of the people previously sent to Parliament by Kioga lacked understanding of how the Museveni-led government works and had no influence within its military-dominated leadership.
He urged voters to continue supporting NRM and President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni.
Earlier in the day, Ongia met Can Mito Note (CMN) group in Akaidebe Village, Anywalwake Parish in Agwingiri Subcounty, and supported them with UGX 300,000.
CMN Chairperson Ejibu Yubu, whose group had grown from 20 to 50 members since 2020, commended Ongia for being approachable and for honouring their invitation.
In Acii Subcounty, Ongia pledged to repair the broken borehole at Awikori Primary School to support both the pupils and the surrounding community.
Ateng Ketty, a member of the Acii Yaweh Pentecostal Mission choir, said Ongia had given them UGX 300,000 to assist with choir uniform needs.
Ojok Peter Obanange, NRM Chairperson for Acii Subcounty, remarked that NRM candidates are now campaigning for votes ahead of the primaries.
He advised voters in Acii to support candidates close to the government and to rally behind whoever emerged as the NRM flagbearer.
Sam Okello Okello, NRM Chairperson for Olyaka Parish, compared Col. Ongia to the late Oyam North MP Rtd. Col. Charles Okello Engola Macodwogo, describing him as a strong lobbyist.
He argued that previous MPs from the area had been unknown within government circles and accused one incumbent MP of sowing confusion by backing a weaker NRM contestant out of fear that Ongia’s strength in the primaries would jeopardize his political survival.
He added that a review of ministerial appointments revealed that most ministers are retired army officers, and he believed Ongia has a strong chance of becoming one if elected.
Molly Ojek likened Ongia to a hardworking bull that always delivers when assigned to plough a garden — implying that Ongia is a result-oriented leader.
Ongia’s campaign trail covered Agwingiri, Acii, and Namasale Subcounties, where residents welcomed him, and many pledged their support in the upcoming elections.
