Juliet Agonyo, the Speaker of Soroti City Council and a Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) flag bearer contender for the Soroti City Woman MP seat, has come out strongly to warn the party’s Electoral Commission (EC) leadership against interfering with the upcoming party primaries.
Agonyo specifically challenged Mr. Boniface Toterebuka Bamwenda, the FDC National Electoral Commission Chairman, over his recent announcement that the party would seek to broker a consensus between her and the incumbent MP, Joan Acom Alobo, to avoid a potentially divisive contest.
Agonyo argued that while party unity is important, imposing a single candidate through backroom negotiations risks undermining the party’s internal democracy and the wishes of grassroots members.
“I want to categorically tell the party Electoral Commission to respect the will of the people of Soroti City. We must be allowed to choose our candidate in a transparent and competitive primary. Any attempts to interfere will be rejected,” Agonyo declared.
Her remarks came days after Mr. Toterebuka revealed that the party leadership would initiate mediation between the two leading contenders, aiming to avoid internal divisions that could benefit the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) in the 2026 general elections.
“We want to meet with Hon. Joan Alobo Acom and Speaker Juliet Agonyo to agree on one candidate,” Toterebuka told party media earlier this week, arguing that consensus was vital to preserve party strength in Teso.
But Agonyo has dismissed that approach as premature and undemocratic.
“I believe in unity, but true unity comes from respecting internal democracy, not from imposing candidates. Let the people decide who can best represent them,” she said.
Agonyo also used her statement to firmly dismiss persistent rumors that she had withdrawn from the race in favor of the incumbent Woman MP, Joan Alobo Acom.
In recent days, sections of social media and political chatter in Soroti have circulated claims suggesting that Agonyo had stepped down after behind-the-scenes negotiations with the incumbent’s team.
Calling such reports “false, unfounded, and politically motivated,” Agonyo accused her rivals of spreading deliberate misinformation to confuse voters and weaken her growing support.
“These are mere distractions aimed at misleading the public and disorganizing my campaign,” she asserted. “Let me make it clear, I am not stepping down. I am fully in the race and more prepared than ever to take on the incumbent.”
She urged party members, supporters, and the wider electorate to remain vigilant against misinformation designed to sabotage her candidacy.
“The people of Soroti deserve a transparent process and leaders who stand by their word. I will be on the party primaries, and I’m ready to win,” she added defiantly.
Juliet Agonyo’s campaign has gained momentum in recent weeks as she reaches out to FDC structures across Soroti City.
A well-known political figure in Teso, Agonyo began her political journey in 2011, when she was first elected as Woman Councilor.
She has since served two consecutive terms as Speaker of Soroti City Council, including overseeing the transition of Soroti from a municipality to a city.
Her supporters cite her long service record, her experience managing council proceedings, and her accessibility to ordinary constituents as key reasons she deserves the FDC flag.
Notably, Agonyo’s leadership credentials extend beyond Soroti.
She currently serves as Treasurer of the Association of Speakers across Uganda, earning national respect for her advocacy on local governance and women’s political participation.
“Juliet Agonyo knows Soroti City’s problems inside out,” said one supporter at a recent meeting. “She is the leader who can bring a fresh, committed voice to Parliament and fight for the city’s development.”
Agonyo’s camp has been actively engaging cell-level party structures in Soroti City East, promising to prioritize local service delivery, education, and youth empowerment.
Her strategy has been to position herself as both a loyal FDC stalwart and a change agent who can re-energize the party’s appeal among younger, disillusioned voters.
“My campaign is about listening to people’s needs and bringing their voice to Parliament,” she said. “We cannot keep doing things the same way and expect different results.”
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By the what the people of Soroti city should know is Agonyo NRM leaning candidate who should not be allowed to confuse the people of Soroti city. Agonyo is deliberately sent by NRM camp weaken the FDC Party in Soroti city. I ask the people of Soroti and the party leadership to use all possible mechanism to quench such divisive internal party politics that is perpetuated by the desperate NRM regime government.