The National Resistance Movement (NRM) flagbearer for Serere County, Philip Oucor, has called on Government Chief Whip Hamson Obua to apologize for allegedly violating the NRM constitution during the 2023 Serere by-election.
Oucor made the demand through a statement on X (formerly Twitter), following Obua’s declaration to contest for the position of NRM Chairman for Northern Uganda.
Oucor accused Obua of openly supporting an independent candidate, Emmanuel Omoding, instead of backing the official NRM flagbearer in the by-election.
Omoding, the son of the late MP Patrick Okabe, won the seat benefiting from a sympathy vote.
In a direct and strongly worded post, Oucor questioned Obua’s loyalty to the party’s principles.
“Humble, may be! This guy went against the NRM constitution in the Serere by-election and campaigned against the Flag bearer,” Oucor posted on X.
He further argued that before Obua seeks a higher position within the party, he must first acknowledge and take responsibility for his actions.
“Now he wants a seat at the highest organ of the party, CEC. As a voter, I need an apology from him!” Oucor stated.
Oucor’s remarks sparked debate among NRM supporters and political observers, with some agreeing that Obua’s actions in Serere County needed to be addressed before he could ascend to a higher leadership role.
Oucor’s call for an apology was met with mixed reactions.
Thomas Obita, another user on X, responded by pointing out that Oucor was not just a voter but the party’s official candidate, making his demand valid.
“Be honest, in this case, you were not just a voter but the flag bearer. Your demand is fair enough but must be extended to all NRM top gurus, including the Chairman, on various other instances,” Obita wrote.
The issue of internal divisions within the NRM party has been a recurring theme, with several instances of party leaders supporting independent candidates against officially endorsed flagbearers.
The situation in Serere was particularly controversial, given that Omoding ran as an independent but seemingly had the backing of some top NRM officials.
Hamson Obua, who currently serves as Government Chief Whip, has declared his intention to run for NRM Chairman for Northern Uganda, a position that gives him a seat on the Central Executive Committee (CEC), the party’s top decision-making organ.
His bid, however, now faces scrutiny from within the party, with Oucor’s demand for an apology raising concerns about party unity and loyalty.
While Obua has not yet responded to Oucor’s demands, his handling of the situation could influence his chances in the upcoming NRM internal elections.
The Serere by-election was a major test for the NRM’s internal discipline, exposing rifts that could impact the party’s performance in the 2026 general elections.
Oucor’s loss to Omoding highlighted growing voter frustrations and sympathy politics, factors that could shape future electoral contests.
Whether Obua will heed Oucor’s call for an apology remains to be seen.
However, the ongoing debate underscores the tensions within the ruling party and the challenges of enforcing internal rules when high-ranking officials are involved.
For now, Philip Oucor has made it clear, before Obua seeks a higher office within the party, he must first account for his actions in Serere County.
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