Acom speaking yesterday in Bugondo Sub County. Photo/Teso Vibes/Facebook
Political tensions in Serere District have escalated, with Esther Lucy Acom, one of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag-bearer contenders for Woman MP, being accused of resorting to cheap political propaganda after failing to rally support away from the incumbent State Minister for Fisheries and Serere District Woman MP, Hon. Hellen Adoa.
The row spilled into the open following Acom’s recent visit to Kasilo Town Council, a strategic area where she had allegedly hoped to weaken Adoa’s base by courting Ann Beatrice Abeja, the Serere District Vice Chairperson and once an aspirant in the same race.
Abeja, however, had already withdrawn her candidacy and publicly declared her support for Minister Adoa.
Acom’s camp, reeling from Abeja’s defection, sought to show strength by staging a defection event in Kasilo Town Council.
According to a widely shared article online via platforms believed to be sympathetic to Acom’s campaign a little-known youth activist, Michael Okiror, was paraded as a “youth leader” who delivered a fiery speech attacking Minister Adoa for allegedly overstaying in power, promoting selfishness, and practicing exclusionary politics.
The event was framed as a dramatic mass defection, with claims that over 300 former Adoa supporters had crossed to Acom’s camp.
But local leaders in Kasilo Town Council have dismissed the claims as blatant propaganda, accusing Acom’s team of manufacturing the drama to distract from her failure to genuinely build grassroots support.
“They lied that over 300 former supporters of State Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa, defected to Achom’s camp. Okiror has never been an agent of the Minister. Those people just want to create a scene after Abeja, whom they had banked hopes on, joined Minister Adoa. That’s cheap politics. Us in Kasilo, we shall jointly support Adoa,” a senior NRM leader in Kasilo Town Council told our publication.
Observers note that the move reflects growing desperation within Acom’s camp after the dramatic collapse of her alliance with Abeja.
It is widely believed that Acom had expected Abeja’s withdrawal from the race to create a split in Adoa’s support in Kasilo, but Abeja’s endorsement of the incumbent seems to have solidified Adoa’s hold on the area instead.
During her visit to Kasilo Town Council, Acom, who is a qualified accountant by profession, sought to portray herself as a reform-minded alternative to Minister Adoa.
While known for her generally soft-spoken demeanor, she pledged to spearhead women’s empowerment initiatives, promote accountability and transparency in local governance, and prioritize improvements in healthcare, education, and infrastructure.
These pledges were seen by some analysts as a thinly veiled attempt to criticize the current MP’s record, even as they remain short on specific funding commitments or implementation details.
Political watchers in Serere note that while Acom’s platform touches on popular themes of accountability and service delivery, she faces the challenge of proving she has the networks and credibility on the ground to achieve these goals, especially after missteps like the alleged “fake defection” event.
In an interview with our publication, Minister Hellen Adoa downplayed the personal attacks and what she termed propaganda from her opponent’s camp, saying she felt at peace knowing she had worked hard for her people over the years.
“First of all, I’m happy and relaxed because, you know, when you have not done anything on the ground, you feel guilty. But everywhere I go, at least my hand has been there,” she said.
Adoa emphasized her track record of addressing day-to-day challenges in Serere District, describing how her work has gone far beyond her official docket as Minister for Fisheries.
“I have turned into being not just Minister of Fisheries but Minister in charge of disaster in Serere, because every disaster that happens in Serere I have stood with them. On the side of roads, I’ve been like a minister in charge of roads because all their issues of the road network, they look for you,” she noted.
She also highlighted her personal involvement in supporting borehole repairs, education initiatives, including building and repairing community schools, and organizing health camps, particularly for cervical cancer screening among women.
“I have supported health camps. I bring health camps to Serere and I have supported my women with cervical screening. So on the side of health, education, daily challenges, and the issues of fisheries, which is a big challenge here in Serere, my fishermen know Adoa has tried,” she added.
“So as much as I have opponents, the fact is I have done a lot on the ground.”
The NRM leadership in Serere District has also weighed in on the controversy, calling for restraint and discouraging the use of propaganda and personal attacks among contenders.
Asuri Deo, the General Secretary of the NRM Mainstream in Serere, made a public appeal for calm and urged aspirants to focus on issues rather than divisive tactics.
“We know campaigns can be tough, but let’s avoid propaganda that divides the Party. Such propaganda can cause unnecessary tension among supporters,” Asuri warned.
He also took the opportunity to commend Minister Adoa for her consistent support of community development efforts.
“Hon. Adoa has been at the forefront of supporting women’s groups with startup capital and training. This is commendable. It is important that we recognize those who have delivered and also give them room to explain their programs.”
With the NRM primaries approaching, the stakes are high in Serere District. Minister Adoa remains a formidable incumbent with strong networks, a reputation for accessibility, and a record of tangible projects.
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