The battle lines for Soroti County’s 2026 parliamentary elections are being drawn early, and the dust from the last race is far from settled.
In a dramatic twist of political fate, Samuel Eninu, the former independent candidate who narrowly lost to current MP Patrick Aeku in the 2021 general elections, has made a bold return, this time under the official banner of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Eninu’s nomination by the NRM Electoral Commission in Kampala has set the stage for a highly anticipated political rematch between two seasoned rivals.
The pair will face off in the party’s internal primaries before a possible rerun in the 2026 general election, should either choose to defy the outcome and proceed independently.
The 2021 parliamentary race for Soroti County was one of the most competitive in the region, drawing in a crowded field of contenders and ending with a razor-thin margin that left supporters of Eninu crying foul.
MP Patrick Aeku secured 6,481 votes under the NRM ticket, while Samuel Eninu, then running as an independent, garnered 6,001 votes, a difference of just 480 votes.
Eninu’s supporters immediately rejected the results, accusing Aeku of manipulating the electoral process, a claim Aeku strongly denied.
The close nature of the contest, coupled with the complaints of electoral malpractice, left lingering tensions that have now resurfaced as the two politicians prepare to face off once more.
Daniel Eigu of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) came a close third in that race, polling 5,937 votes, just 64 behind Eninu, demonstrating the fragmented yet vibrant competition in Soroti County.
The remaining candidates included Onyait Yuventine (888 votes), Edimu Francis (699), Oriokot Jimmy (280), Emolu Samuel (254), Elupe Meshullam (147), and Ogita Joseph (26).
Samuel Eninu’s decision to seek the NRM flag in 2026 marks a strategic shift in his political career.
After falling short as an independent, Eninu has now joined the party, signaling both his growing influence within NRM circles and a possible consolidation of support.
His nomination by the NRM Electoral Commission has sparked fresh momentum among his supporters, many of whom believe the 2026 election is an opportunity to “right the wrongs” of the previous poll.
Sources close to Eninu suggest that he has spent the past four years building grassroots networks, particularly in rural parishes and among youth groups disillusioned with the current representation.
“People have not forgotten what happened in 2021,” said one Eninu supporter from Lale sub-county. “This time, we are going to protect our vote from the primary to the general election.”
For MP Patrick Aeku, the return of Eninu represents a direct challenge to his political stronghold.
While Aeku has served Soroti County for nearly five years, critics argue that his tenure has lacked meaningful community transformation.
Although he has spearheaded initiatives in infrastructure, education, and security coordination, some constituents say more could have been done.
NRM insiders believe the upcoming primaries could be one of the most hotly contested in Teso Sub-region, with Aeku facing not only Eninu but also growing scrutiny from within the party.
Aeku’s camp, however, remains confident.
“He won in 2021 fair and square, and he’s ready to win again,” said one of Aeku’s campaign coordinators. “The people know who has been on the ground, who has delivered, and who is consistent.”
With nominations now concluded and campaigns expected to intensify in the coming weeks, Soroti County is poised for a political storm.
Should the primary results fail to unite the party’s factions, a repeat of 2021, with both Aeku and Eninu appearing on the general ballot under different tickets, remains a real possibility.
As the ghosts of 2021 return to the forefront, the question remains: will history repeat itself, or will Soroti County choose a new path forward?
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