Tensions are brewing in Ngariam County following confirmation by the Electoral Commission that Daniel Mulalu, a former NRM primary contender, has been cleared to run as an independent candidate in the 2026 general elections.
The Commission has officially approved his use of the Wheelbarrow as his campaign symbol, a move that has sent political shockwaves through the camp of State Minister for Sports Hon. Peter Ogwang, the incumbent Member of Parliament and the NRM flag bearer.
This development sets the stage for a high-stakes rematch between Ogwang and Mulalu, coming just months after the contentious NRM primaries held on July 17, 2025, which saw Ogwang declared the winner with 35,076 votes against Mulalu’s 2,264. A third contender, Augustine Otuko, polled 1,888 votes.
Mulalu, however, rejected the results outright, citing rampant electoral irregularities, including voter bribery, voter intimidation, multiple voting, and collusion between Ogwang and NRM electoral officials.
He described the primaries as a “sham” and accused the ruling party’s internal structures in Katakwi of bias and manipulation.
With the NRM party ticket out of reach, Mulalu quickly declared his intention to contest as an independent, and has since formally been cleared by the Electoral Commission.
His chosen symbol, the Wheelbarrow, has become a powerful metaphor in his campaign, symbolizing “labour, service, grassroots power, and the burden of the oppressed.”
While addressing supporters at a press briefing shortly after receiving clearance, Mulalu said: “The Wheelbarrow reflects the suffering of ordinary people in Ngariam. It is a symbol of the work we must do to rebuild dignity, justice, and truth in our politics. I refuse to be silenced by vote riggers.”
His message is resonating with a section of Ngariam voters who feel disenfranchised and frustrated by what they describe as the “dictatorship of money” within the NRM primaries.
Sources within Minister Ogwang’s campaign team have admitted that the clearance of Mulalu as an independent has created “uncomfortable pressure” within the incumbent’s camp.
While Ogwang enjoys the institutional backing of the ruling party, the prospect of facing a defiant former NRM comrade with deep local roots and growing sympathy among voters is seen as a political threat.
A source close to Minister Ogwang, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated: “We are not taking this lightly. Mulalu has capitalized on the post-primary discontent. There’s a lot of information being spread about the Minister’s unfulfilled Pledges spanning years of his leadership from Youth MP to now MP Ngariam County and we have to counter that on the ground. This is not going to be a walkover.”
Ogwang, a seasoned politician and key government figure, has not publicly commented on Mulalu’s independent bid, but sources close to him say internal consultations are ongoing to recalibrate their campaign strategy.
Mulalu’s independent run is also laying bare deep divisions within the NRM in Katakwi District.
While the district NRM chairperson, John Robert Okiror, declared the primaries peaceful, hundreds of voters and some local opinion leaders have continued to dispute the official narrative.
Several Mulalu supporters within the NRM say they are now openly campaigning for him under the new Wheelbarrow symbol, warning that the party risks losing Ngariam if grassroots voices are ignored.
A youth leader in Ngariam, who supported Mulalu during the primaries, said: “What happened in the primaries was injustice. We were beaten, intimidated, and pushed out. Now the people have another chance. The Wheelbarrow is our voice.”
The Electoral Commission’s approval of Mulalu’s candidacy and symbol marks a critical milestone in the run-up to the 2026 elections.
With the political climate already charged, analysts predict that Ngariam will become one of Uganda’s most closely watched electoral battlegrounds.
According to Mr. Alex Odong, a political analyst: “What we are seeing in Ngariam is a classic rebellion against elite capture of party structures. If Mulalu plays his cards well, combines his populist narrative with mobilization, Ogwang may face the toughest race of his political career.”
Despite his fiery critique of the NRM electoral process, Mulalu has consistently called for peace, urging his supporters to avoid retaliation and violence.
“Let us campaign with dignity. I call on all supporters to respect the law, avoid insults and keep our message focused. The truth is on our side.”
At the same time, Mulalu’s team has launched an aggressive mobilization drive across Ngariam, branding motorcycles, t-shirts, and campaign posters with the Wheelbarrow symbol and the message: “The People’s Burden Will Be Lifted.”
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