Two seasoned journalists, Edward Eninu and Stephen Ariong, have officially joined the parliamentary race after being duly nominated on Thursday morning by the Serere District Returning Officer, Mr. Ronald Nsereko, at the Serere District Electoral Commission offices.
Their nominations mark a significant moment in Serere’s political landscape, with both media professionals seeking to transform their experience in journalism into political leadership.
Eninu, who has for years worked with the Uganda Radio Network (URN), was nominated to contest for Kasilo County Member of Parliament, while Ariong, a senior correspondent with the Nation Media Group, will be contesting for Serere County MP.
The two journalists are entering the race with a promise to deliver transparency, accountability, and development-oriented representation to their respective constituencies.
Mr. Edward Eninu, a well-known journalist who has reported extensively on governance and community development issues across Teso and Eastern Uganda, is now turning his investigative lens towards politics.
His decision to contest comes after what he describes as “years of reporting on leadership gaps that need practical action and people-centered policy interventions.”
Speaking shortly after his nomination, Eninu said he decided to step forward after deep reflection on the challenges that have kept Kasilo County lagging behind despite its enormous potential in agriculture, education, and infrastructure development.
“For nearly three decades, Kasilo has had the same representation in Parliament. While we appreciate the contribution of our leaders, it’s time for new energy, new thinking, and a stronger voice that will prioritize the youth, farmers, and local entrepreneurs,” Eninu said.
He further noted that his campaign will focus on restoring public trust in leadership, empowering community structures, and promoting equitable resource distribution.
Eninu is seeking to unseat Hon. Elijah Okupa, a long-serving Member of Parliament who has represented Kasilo County for close to 30 years.
The journalist-turned-politician believes that the time has come for Kasilo to experience a generational leadership shift driven by innovation, inclusivity, and accountability.
“I have walked with the people of Kasilo in their struggles and celebrations as a journalist. Now, I’m ready to walk with them as a servant leader who listens, acts, and delivers,” Eninu declared, surrounded by supporters who chanted “Time for change!” as he addressed the press.
In the neighboring Serere County, Stephen Ariong, a respected journalist who has reported for Nation Media Group for over a decade, was also successfully nominated.
Ariong is known for his in-depth coverage of rural development, security, and governance issues across Karamoja and Eastern Uganda.
Ariong’s entry into the race has drawn attention due to his strong grassroots appeal and reputation as a fearless advocate for community issues.
His nomination was met with celebration from supporters who believe his journalism background has equipped him with the knowledge and courage to represent the people effectively.
Speaking after his nomination, Ariong said his decision to join elective politics is motivated by a deep conviction that Serere deserves transparent, visionary, and service-oriented leadership.
“For many years, I have told other people’s stories, stories of struggle, hope, and resilience. Now, I want to be part of writing a new story for Serere, one that prioritizes the people’s needs and restores faith in leadership,” Ariong said.
He emphasized that his campaign will center on tackling corruption, improving access to education and health services, and supporting agricultural transformation as the backbone of Serere’s economy.
Ariong is set to challenge Hon. Emmanuel Omoding, the incumbent Member of Parliament for Serere County, who was also recently nominated to defend his seat on the NRM ticket.
The race between the journalist and the incumbent is expected to be one of the most closely watched contests in the 2026 general elections, with both candidates commanding strong support across various sub-counties.
While confirming the nominations, Mr. Ronald Nsereko, the Serere District Returning Officer, commended all aspirants for maintaining discipline and urged them to conduct peaceful campaigns as the official campaign period approaches.
“The nomination exercise has so far been peaceful and well-coordinated. We encourage all candidates to uphold respect for electoral laws and avoid acts that could disrupt harmony in the district,” Nsereko said.
He also noted that campaigns will officially commence on November 10, 2025, and all candidates will be guided on the harmonized program to ensure fairness and compliance with the Electoral Commission guidelines.
The nominations of Eninu and Ariong have injected new excitement into Serere’s political arena, traditionally dominated by long-serving incumbents.
Political analysts say the entry of journalists into the race signals a growing trend of professionals from the media, academia, and civil society seeking to influence change from within political institutions.
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