The Pallisa County Independent parliamentary candidate, Mr. Julius Arecho Okurut, on Sunday took his campaign and presidential mobilization drive to churches across Kamuge Town Council and Oboliso I Sub-county, calling on Christians to turn up in large numbers for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s upcoming rally in Kameke.
Mr. Okurut urged congregants to show real love and appreciation for the progress brought by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) government under President Museveni.
He emphasized that his current focus was not on his personal campaign but on ensuring that the President receives overwhelming support in Pallisa District.
“I will talk about myself later. You all know how your right to elect an NRM flag bearer of your choice was rejected,” Okurut said.
“My major concern now is for all of us to trek to Kameke on Wednesday and listen to our dear President as he markets his manifesto, which embraces our needs here in Pallisa.”
Okurut told Christians that attending the presidential rally was not just a show of support but a chance to learn directly from the President about his plans for the country’s development.
“There are many benefits to attending such rallies,” he said. “When you hear from the President himself, you get inspired with the right message that, if you take home and apply, can transform your life forever.”
The independent candidate, who has consistently branded himself as a self-motivated mobilizer, said he was using the church platforms to reach as many people as possible.
“I’m moving from church to church seeking audience with Christians so that they prepare to attend the Kameke rally,” Okurut explained. “I’m doing this voluntarily, while others wait for facilitation from the NRM Secretariat even to visit a church in their own village.”
His efforts have earned him praise from several locals who believe his approach demonstrates genuine commitment to both faith and national development.
Simon Kauta, a resident of Kamuge Town Council, said NRM mobilization in Pallisa had been crippled by internal divisions and lack of grassroots presence by official flag bearers.
“The problem with NRM mobilization here is that some flag bearers prefer social media and radio talk shows to actual community engagement,” Kauta noted.
“They spend time criticizing independents instead of mobilizing for the President. I applaud Okurut for ignoring those petty divisions and working for both himself and President Museveni.”
Similarly, Sarah Musenero, another resident, called on top NRM leaders to discourage divisive behavior within the party.
“If all candidates, whether independent or official flag bearers, unite to mobilize for the President, it will send a message of strength and solidarity,” Musenero said.
In Kameke Sub-county, the LC3 Chairperson, Mr. Vincent Oluka Epoketom, criticized some party leaders for boycotting meetings attended by independent candidates.
He cited the case of Josephine Ibaseret, the NRM Chairperson of Agule County, whom he accused of avoiding meetings attended by incumbent MP Hon. David Ochwa, who is contesting as an independent.
“At my age, I’m not afraid to speak the truth,” Epoketom declared. “It’s wrong to bring personal differences into the President’s campaign. President Museveni needs everyone’s support, including those you disagree with. Every vote counts.”
In mid-September, the Pallisa Resident District Commissioner (RDC), Mr. Dhikusooka Magid, held a meeting with both Mr. Ibrahim Aisu and Mr. Okurut Julius, urging them to focus on mobilizing for President Museveni despite their differences in the NRM primaries.
Okurut has since maintained that his participation in the race is driven by the desire to strengthen the NRM’s grassroots connection and ensure continuity of the President’s legacy in Pallisa.
“The discomfort my brother Aisu has over my return is based on what he personally knows happened during the primaries,” Okurut said. “But that cannot determine the outcome of the final race. What matters now is ensuring the President gets full support.”
Okurut, who is also a church leader, used the Sunday services to remind Christians of President Museveni’s message that the Church should lead in fighting poverty.
“The President always says the Church should be the first institution to combat poverty in our communities,” he said. “I have a rich manifesto that, if implemented, will make Pallisa a model county in poverty eradication.”
He pledged teamwork with religious leaders to address challenges facing churches, urging Christians to avoid allowing politics to divide them.
“Churches need unity of purpose,” Okurut emphasized. “As Christians, we must be examples of peace and development, not division.”
Sam Okia, a member of the Pentecostal Revival Ministries (PRM) in Boliso, welcomed Okurut’s message and reaffirmed the church’s appreciation for President Museveni’s leadership.
“We have no problem with President Museveni,” Okia said. “He gave Ugandans freedom of worship, and that’s something we should never take for granted.”
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