Independent aspirant for Serere County, Mr. Steven Ariong, has expressed unwavering confidence in President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s chances in the upcoming 2026 elections, assuring the Head of State of a sweeping 99% victory in Serere District.
Ariong, who describes himself as an NRM-leaning independent, made the remarks on Saturday during a meeting with supporters in Serere.
He noted that despite setbacks in the recently concluded NRM primaries, the ruling party’s grassroots support in the district remains intact and will translate into an overwhelming victory for President Museveni.
“I want to assure President Museveni that Serere District will be on top of all Teso sub-region districts in terms of votes for him. In particular, Serere County will lead other counties in delivering a decisive win. This time, we are talking of 99%,” Ariong said.
The politician attributed his confidence to the role played by independent-minded leaders in “marketing the achievements of the President” in Serere.
He said community leaders who did not find space within the NRM’s primaries are now working extra hard to consolidate support for Museveni while also positioning themselves for lower political offices.
“We appeal to the President to allow us handle the local positions freely because his position will not be tampered with. Our role is to mobilize and make sure the people’s support for him is reflected in the vote,” Ariong emphasized.
Ariong, who has earned the nickname “Ogilon” among his supporters, has built a reputation as a philanthropist after repairing and maintaining more than 1,420 broken boreholes across Serere County using his personal resources.
His efforts have turned him into a household name, with many residents crediting him for restoring clean water access in villages where local authorities had failed to act.
As a result, communities in Serere no longer pay for borehole repairs, a service Ariong has shouldered for years.
“Several boreholes that the district had given up on are now fully functioning, thanks to Mr. Ariong. He has done what government could not,” said a village elder in Olio Sub-county.
Supporters argue that such interventions have not only improved access to safe water but have also strengthened Ariong’s political clout.
Many voters now regard him as the “savior of Serere County,” with expectations that he will extend the same dedication to other sectors if elected to Parliament.
Excitement is also building ahead of Ariong’s nomination slated for October 22, with hundreds of supporters already mobilizing to escort him in what is expected to be a grand procession.
Local leaders say business is likely to grind to a halt on the nomination day as residents from all walks of life plan to converge in Serere Town to celebrate their candidate.
“On that day, you will see a sea of people. Everyone wants to walk with Ogilon to the nomination venue because he represents a new wave of hope,” said a youth leader in Atiira Sub-county.
While Ariong is running as an independent, he remains aligned to the ruling party’s broader agenda, describing himself as an NRM-leaning independent candidate.
He admits that irregularities and dissatisfaction during the NRM primaries created discontent among voters, but insists that the situation is normalizing.
“The people were disappointed, but they have realized that President Museveni is not the cause of their frustrations. Their confidence in him remains unshaken, and that is why we are mobilizing to give him nothing less than 99% support in Serere,” Ariong stated.
Political observers note that the endorsement of Museveni by independents like Ariong could strengthen the President’s dominance in Serere and across the Teso sub-region, where opposition parties are also intensifying campaigns.
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