The State Minister for Fisheries and incumbent Serere District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Hellen Adoa, is commanding a significant lead in the ongoing National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries across polling stations in Serere District.
Early tallies from multiple sub-counties including Kyere, Kadungulu, Labor, and Pingire show a wide margin in favor of Minister Adoa, who is seeking the party’s endorsement to retain her seat in the 2026 general elections.
Local observers at several polling centers reported large voter turnouts in support of Adoa, citing her longstanding service, accessibility, and visible development work as key reasons behind her popularity.
Shortly after casting her vote at her home polling station in Kyere Sub-county, Adoa addressed the media and supporters, expressing deep appreciation to the grassroots voters for what she described as “authentic love” built on service and trust.
“What this primary election has taught me is that when you love people at the grassroots, they love you back,” Adoa said.
“No matter what big people may try to do to fight me, the ordinary people know my heart and my work.”
Adoa emphasized that her campaign was rooted in integrity and transparency, stating that she deliberately chose not to influence voters with money or gifts.
“I don’t want to be corrupt. Because if I were like many others, I would buy them off with any amount,” she remarked.
“But I don’t want to show my village people that I can buy them. That’s why I decided to leave democracy to prevail. Nobody here can say I’ve given even one coin. They support me because they know I’m their daughter, their sister.”
However, Adoa did not hold back from raising concerns about possible interference with the final results, alleging that some district officials may be colluding with her opponents.
“I just pray that my results will not be altered,” she cautioned. “I already see some district leaders conniving. But I know that my works and my commitment to the people of Serere speak for me.”
Minister Adoa pointed to her development record as a strong foundation for her electoral strength.
She mentioned her consistent engagement with the community, especially in educating them about government programs like the Parish Development Model (PDM), and her visible investments in the district.
“There is no day I’ve stayed without supporting the people of Serere,” she affirmed. “If there is any MP in Uganda with a true heart for their people, I am among them.”
“I have stood with my people, especially when they need me most. I moved sub-county by sub-county, sensitizing people about government programs, explaining who are the good leaders and why some may not be good. I even read names of beneficiaries at village meetings.”
She highlighted her decision to invest exclusively within Teso Sub-region as another indicator of her commitment to local development.
“I have built institutions in Serere. I haven’t taken my investments outside Teso. People are seeing that. I believe the heart I have shown the people of Serere and Teso has made them show me their love in return.”
Several voters at the Kyere polling station echoed her sentiments.
Sarah Apio, a voter in her 40s, said, “Minister Adoa is the only leader who attends to us not just during elections. She’s always here, at funerals, at school functions, with the women groups. She is our own.”
Others, like 28-year-old youth leader Emmanuel Ogwang from Kadungulu, praised her efforts to empower the youth and women through government programs.
“She came here herself and showed us how to form PDM groups, how to apply for funds. She brought programs to us. She didn’t send agents. That’s leadership,” Ogwang said.
Despite her strong showing, the final official results are still pending from the NRM Electoral Commission.
However, observers across Serere expect that Adoa will retain the NRM flag unless unexpected changes occur in the final counting process.
Adoa, first elected in 2016 and appointed as Minister of State for Fisheries in 2019, has built a political reputation grounded in local engagement, social support initiatives, and championing development efforts across Serere.
With the NRM primaries shaping the direction for the 2026 general elections, Adoa’s strong lead not only cements her grip on the Serere Woman MP seat within the party but also sends a clear signal to her opponents that grassroots mobilization still matters.
Her message to voters remained simple but powerful: “I stand with the people of Serere. And they stand with me. Together, we will continue to build.”
About Author
