Eleven candidates vie for three Kwania parliamentary seats

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Eleven candidates have been nominated to contest for three parliamentary seats in Kwania district ahead of the 2026 general elections, bringing an end to the two-day exercise by the Electoral Commission under the supervision of returning officer Sarah Birungi Kezia.

For the Kwania district Woman Member of Parliament seat, the incumbent and Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) stalwart, Auma Kenny, was duly nominated on Thursday (October 23) by Kezia.

She will face off with Kate Etit Okao of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) and Susan Apio Atek-ilwak, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer.

Tony Eron, Kwania County NRM flag-bearer woos his supporters as he arrives at Kwanai Boma Ground on Wednesday.

Tony Ayo signs E.C documents before being nominated on Monday.

In Kwania North County, incumbent Bob Okae of UPC was nominated alongside James Ongu Tar (NRM flag bearer), Awor Evalin Pule (Independent), and Odongo Alan Charles (National Unity Platform).

Meanwhile, for Kwania Constituency, four aspirants were nominated: incumbent Tony Ayo (Independent), Erick Okek (Independent), Harriet Harvy Ajalo Omara (UPC flag bearer), and Tony Eron (NRM flag bearer).

After the nominations, UPC candidates Bob Okae, Auma Kenny, and Harriet Omara addressed a rally at the Kwania district boma ground, where the area was painted red with UPC colours.

Over 100 defect to UPC 

Over 100 supporters from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) and National Unity Platform (NUP) crossed over to the Uganda People’s Congress during the rally at Kwania district boma ground.

The defectors were received on Thursday by Moses Odwono, the UPC party registrar in Kwania.

Addressing a rally after his nomination, Bob Okae, the UPC strongman and incumbent Member of Parliament for Kwania North County, urged the new members to embrace the party’s ideologies, discipline, and unity.

"Few members of UPC moved to NRM, but I am happy that many are crossing to UPC as well. This shows our strengths as the party," he said.

Incumbent Bob Okae of UPC was nominated today.

Harriet Havy Ajalo Omara, UPC flag bearer for Kwania Constituency MP race.

Kwania district woman MP, Kenny Auma, expressed excitement, saying the number of people crossing to UPC was a clear indication that the party was gaining momentum.

"Some people are saying UPC is dead simply because our party president Akena, is not on the ballot. I am assuring you we shall do what it takes to ensure UPC wins massively," she said.

In a related development, more than 80 NRM supporters crossed to the FDC.

Kate Etit Okao said the defection followed messages of hope and development delivered by FDC party president Nathan Nandala Mafabi during his recent campaign tour in the district.

"Nandala preached about the revival of cooperatives and convinced the voters how he will provide money in their pockets. This went down well with many voters, and I think that is why they are coming to join FDC," she said.

Nominees pledge better services

Other candidates nominated for the three parliamentary seats pledged to improve livelihoods and enhance access to service delivery if elected to Parliament.

Tony Eron, aspirant for the Kwania North County MP seat, promised economic gains, better education, and improved healthcare for the people of Kwania County.

"I will have three things to do: one, representation in Parliament. I will make sure that I ably play the oversights and above all align my manifestos to that of NRM to take our people from the money economy to the middle-income status," he said.

Evalin Awor Pule, also vying for the Kwania North County seat, said the poverty level is alarming and that her focus is on extending electricity.

"The President's manifesto is aligned with mine. He speaks about electrification, road rehabilitation, and that is why I intend to go to Parliament," she said.

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) new recruits pose for a group pic with FDC candidates for Kwania Woman Mp Kate Etit Okao.

Kenny Auma, the Kwania District Woman Member of Parliament addressing a rally at Kwania District Boma Ground on Thursday shortly after her nomination.

Susan Apio, popularly known as Atek-ilwak, who is standing for district woman MP, said the upgrade of Health Centre IIs to Health Centre IIIs is at the top of her agenda.

James Ongu Tar, who contested in the last election and lost to incumbent Bob Okae, pledged to unite Kwania voters and work tirelessly to improve infrastructure.

"The youths need skilling. The women need different projects. I will effectively represent my people in Parliament and ensure that services come to my people, aware that Kwania has been missing in terms of voice in Parliament," he said.

Tight race expected 

The 2026 general election is expected to be closely contested in Kwania, particularly in Kwania North County, where James Ongu Tar is once again challenging incumbent Bob Okae of UPC.

In the last election, Okae garnered 14,907 votes, Ongu James (NRM) got 13,406, Omara Christopher (Independent) polled 2,152, and Erac Andrew (Independent) obtained 455 votes.

Auma Kenny was elected Kwania district woman MP in 2021 after polling 37,497 votes, defeating Independent candidate Apio Susan Atek-ilwak (7,857 votes), NRM flag bearer Achola Judith Eyer Ogwang (6,855 votes), Independent Amongi Judith Olope (1,328 votes), and Independent Amek Mary Grace (475 votes).

Voters voice expectations

Residents of Kwania have outlined the issues they expect their next leaders to address.

Simon Ekong, a resident of Teduka ward in Aduku Town Council, said infrastructure and job bribery in local government remain key challenges.

"Most of our roads are impassable, and this should be addressed, as well as the issue of job bribery. The MPs once elected should deliberate on that," he said.

Another resident, James Ojok Abica of Aboko parish in Aduku subcounty, said, "Our roads are in a sorry state, we need safe and clean water and an upgrade of health facilities and staff recruited. We also need improvement in the education sector."

The Electoral Commission concluded the two-day nationwide nomination of parliamentary aspirants on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. Campaigns for parliamentary candidates will commence on November 10, 2025, and end on January 12, 2026, while polling for presidential and parliamentary candidates is scheduled for January 15, 2026, according to the EC guidelines.