Lira, Uganda | Senior Presidential Advisor on Lango Affairs, Sam Engola, has attributed the National Resistance Movement’s (NRM) overwhelming electoral performance in Lango Sub-region to sustained grassroots mobilisation, unity across political lines, and long-term engagement with communities.
Speaking at the Special Victory Thanksgiving Ceremony held at Lango College on April 18, 2026, Engola said the region’s support for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni was the result of consistent mobilisation efforts spanning several years, rather than a short-term campaign.
He described the 2026 elections as a “no sleep” exercise, marked by continuous outreach, coordination, and interaction with voters at all levels.
According to Engola, mobilisers, political leaders, and community structures worked tirelessly to consolidate support, leading to what he termed a historic victory for the ruling party in the sub-region.
Engola noted that the mobilisation extended beyond traditional NRM supporters, drawing participation from individuals previously aligned with opposition groups, including the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
This, he said, reflected growing unity and a shared commitment to peace, development, and wealth creation.
He credited the success to coordinated efforts by Members of Parliament, councillors, grassroots mobilisers, and various organised groups, emphasising that the campaign was built on long-term engagement rather than isolated events.
He added that some supporters who had remained loyal to the movement for over 30 years were, for the first time, able to directly engage with the President during the visit.
Engola also highlighted the role of private sector actors and investors in supporting mobilisation and development initiatives, particularly in agriculture.
He pointed to increased interest in coffee production and other agribusiness ventures as part of broader efforts to boost household incomes in the region.
While Engola focused on mobilisation and political organisation, President Museveni used the same platform to outline key priorities for wealth creation, including effective implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM), expansion of agricultural inputs such as seedlings, restocking programmes, infrastructure development, and enforcement against corruption.
The President also warned against misuse of PDM funds, stressing that leaders must ensure transparency and accountability in beneficiary selection, and cautioned that offenders risk imprisonment.
Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua said Lango registered 538,044 votes (84.48%) in support of the President, describing it as a historic peak and part of a steady upward trend in NRM support since 1996.
The thanksgiving event, organised following an invitation by Ambassador Joseph Ocwet, brought together political leaders, mobilisers, and residents to celebrate the electoral victory and reaffirm commitment to continued development in the sub-region.
