Todwong Intensifies NRM Campaign in Nwoya Ahead of 2026 Polls

NRM secretary general Richard Todwong has taken a visible lead in Nwoya district as the ruling party seeks to shore up support in the run-up to the 15 January 2026 general election. Todwong’s week-long presence is aimed at reinforcing party unity and persuading voters to back NRM candidates at parliamentary and local government level.

NRM campaign in Nwoya faces Opposition surge

The political contest in Nwoya has sharpened, with the Democratic Party mounting an energetic challenge. DP candidates are reported to be pursuing a split-vote strategy, publicly supporting President Yoweri Museveni while asking voters to elect non-NRM representatives to Parliament and local councils. That approach emphasises competence over party affiliation and has complicated efforts to secure straight-ticket support for the NRM.

Several NRM flagbearers find themselves in tight races. In Nwoya County, Tonny Awany is facing a strong challenge from DP’s Geoffrey Opiyo Payira. In Nwoya East, Lilly Adong is contending with DP’s Geoffrey Charles Okello. The District Woman MP contest has also drawn close attention, as Christine Lanyero Larem takes on incumbent Judith Peace Acan, who is standing as an independent.

Addressing crowds at Paminyai Primary School and at party meetings in Gulu, Todwong urged voters to adopt straight-ticket voting, arguing that aligned leadership delivers more effective service delivery. He warned that Opposition MPs are often excluded from internal NRM caucuses where national priorities and budgets are coordinated, which he said can limit their influence on government programmes for their constituencies.

Todwong defended the party’s record and his role in the constitutional changes that removed presidential age and term limits, saying the amendments were necessary to preserve continuity and stability. He also outlined ongoing mobilisation work across the Acholi sub-region and stated that the NRM counts more than 21 million registered members nationwide, with roughly 14 million registered voters among them.

Grassroots concerns reported during Todwong’s visits included shortcomings in infrastructure, education and health services. Todwong attributed many of those issues to weak co-ordination among local leaders rather than neglect by central government, and he pressed the case that unified party leadership is better placed to attract government development programmes.

At a meeting chaired by Ann Ruyondo Lumumba, leaders of the NRM Women’s League in the Northern Region voiced concerns over limited campaign funding. Todwong responded by saying mobilisation funds are already being routed through district accounts and pledged that all party leagues will receive full financing for campaign activities. NRM district chairperson Mary Adokoracah closed the meeting with a call for unity and a warning against collaboration with opposition factions as the campaign enters a critical phase.

As Nwoya remains regarded as a historical Democratic Party stronghold influenced by the legacy of former MP Zachary Olum, the coming months will test whether the NRM’s push under Todwong can reverse the Opposition’s momentum or whether the DP’s split-vote tactics will erode the ruling party’s hold on local seats.