MP Emmanuel Omoding speaking recently
The incumbent Member of Parliament Emmanuel Omoding has come out strongly to defend his decision to boycott a planned joint campaign arrangement with his rivals.
His move has sparked heated reactions among the other aspirants, who have accused him of sowing division and prioritizing personal interests over party unity.
The Serere County parliamentary primaries, scheduled for July 16, 2025, have attracted seven contenders under the NRM ticket.
These include the incumbent Emmanuel Omoding, Sam Otaala, Joseph Otaala, Gilbert Etomet, Lawrence Elogu, Emmanuel Okwii, and a lesser-known aspirant, Omunyokol.
The controversy erupted during a harmonization meeting convened by the NRM district leadership at the Serere District Headquarters today.
The meeting was aimed at streamlining the candidates’ campaign schedules and ensuring peaceful, coordinated activities across the constituency.
However, things took a sharp turn when MP Omoding rejected the proposed plan for joint campaigns, citing security concerns and mistrust among his rivals.
“I cannot accept to participate in a campaign that is disguised as unity but in reality is a trap for harassment and intimidation. How do you expect me to hire a public address system, mobilize the crowd, and then allow my rivals to use my own resources against me?” MP Omoding asked while speaking to TNN shortly after storming out of the meeting.
He further alleged that he had received credible intelligence reports pointing to a plot to physically harm him during the joint campaign rallies.
“I will not risk my life again like what happened to my father in 2021. We are not going to pretend everything is fine when there are people with ill motives,” Omoding said, referencing the assault on his late father, former Serere MP Patrick Okabe, who was reportedly attacked while returning from a campaign rally in the last electoral cycle.
Rivals Cry Foul
Omoding’s refusal to join the joint campaign trail has angered the other six aspirants, most of whom claim to be operating under a unified campaign strategy to present a stronger front and minimize electoral violence.
“What is happening in Serere is unfortunate,” said one of the candidates in a joint press briefing following the fallout. “The incumbent has refused to be part of our team. That alone is a sign of serious division within the party.”
The group of five aspirants say they have formed a united front to promote peace and cooperation.
They insist that joint campaigning is in line with the party’s guidelines for conducting primaries in a fair and inclusive manner.
“We have decided to campaign as a team. So when you see someone campaigning alone, ask them, where are your opponents? This is not an individual project. This is about the future of Serere,” said Etomet.
The opposing camp has also launched scathing accusations against Omoding, including claims that he is bribing voters with small tokens and prioritizing foreign interests over the development of Serere.
“One thousand shillings handouts won’t build a school or health center,” said Etomet Gilbert. “People of Serere should reject such tactics. Eat the money if you must, but vote for the candidate who will bring real change.”
The most pointed allegation has been that MP Omoding is “selling Serere to foreigners,” a reference to his alleged connections abroad.
During the press conference, one speaker went as far as to say, “Why are you repatriating our finances to other countries instead of developing Serere?”
While the accusers did not present any evidence to back their claims, they insisted that a true leader must have both feet firmly grounded in the community.
“When you see one candidate moving alone, just know that person has bad motives for the constituency,” added Etomet. “Already we have an issue in Serere where there is no real representation. Our people are suffering.”
They also condemned what they called a hijacking of party structures by his rivals.
According to them, the harmonization meeting had already shown signs of bias, with many sub-county and parish-level NRM officials openly siding with Omoding.
“The guidelines were clear, each candidate should come with one agent. But some came with six people just to create confusion,” Omoding said. “I won’t be part of a process that is being manipulated from the start.”
In response to the attacks, MP Omoding dismissed the allegations as a political smear campaign fueled by desperation and fear of competition.
He clarified that while his family resides abroad, he remains a committed Ugandan working for the people of Serere.
“I am not taking Serere’s resources anywhere. My family may live in Australia, but I live here, I represent here, and I work here,” he said.
“Those making noise are the same people who have failed to deliver in the past.”
Joint Campaign Team Vows to Push Forward
Despite Omoding’s resistance, the five other aspirants say they will continue with the joint campaign plan.
They are calling on voters to reject candidates who are acting independently and warned that any attempt to undermine the collective effort would be met with public rejection.
“We came together for unity. Even within a family, disagreements are solved through dialogue. If you can’t work with fellow party members now, how will you work with opposition or serve in Parliament?” said Etomet.
They also called on the party’s top leadership to intervene and ensure the primaries are conducted transparently and peacefully.
Political observers and Journalists in Teso fear that the escalating tensions could fracture the NRM in the district, potentially weakening its grip ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Analysts warn that without immediate mediation, the ongoing rift could turn violent, especially given Serere’s history of tense campaigns.
“The NRM leadership needs to quickly step in and harmonize these candidates. We have seen before how political divisions in Serere can lead to clashes. The focus should be on peaceful primaries and party cohesion,” said political commentator Sam Ekellot.
At the time of publishing, the NRM District Chairman for Serere had not issued a formal statement on the matter, but sources indicate that efforts are underway behind the scenes to bring the rival camps together.
As campaigns begin to intensify across Serere County, it remains to be seen how the dynamics will play out. With Emmanuel Omoding choosing to go solo and his rivals rallying as a unified block, the primaries could become a test not only of individual popularity but also of discipline and cohesion within the NRM.
Whether Omoding’s concerns will be addressed or whether the joint campaign team will hold together is yet to be determined. What’s clear, however, is that the political storm in Serere is far from over.
“Let the people decide,” Omoding concluded. “I will continue reaching out to my people in peace, just not under a forced, hostile alliance.”
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