The political tide in Serere District appears to be tilting decisively in favor of incumbent Woman Member of Parliament and State Minister for Fisheries, Hon. Hellen Adoa, after she emerged with a commanding lead in an opinion poll conducted by New Vision, the government-owned national daily.
According to results released today, Minister Adoa scored an overwhelming 78% support from respondents, reaffirming her status as the most popular and trusted political figure in the district as the country heads toward the 2026 general elections.
The poll, which sampled a wide cross-section of voters across all sub-counties, paints a clear picture of the political mood on the ground.
Trailing far behind Adoa is Serere District Vice Chairperson Abeja Beatrice, who garnered 7.3% of the votes, followed by former parliamentary aspirants Florence Iyogil and Opol Margaret, who each registered 3.7%.
In a surprising turn of events, Esther Lucy Acom, a candidate who has been creating a significant buzz on social media and styling herself as the leading challenger to Adoa, secured a mere 2.4% of the opinion votes.
Acom’s dismal performance has left political observers questioning the depth and reach of her campaign, which has largely centered on online mobilization.
Political analysts attribute Minister Adoa’s strong polling numbers to her consistent visibility in the constituency and her record of tangible service delivery over the years.
Since being elected in 2016, and later appointed State Minister for Fisheries, Adoa has undertaken various initiatives across the education, health, infrastructure, and agricultural sectors in Serere.
Under her stewardship, the district has benefited from increased fish farming support, road maintenance lobbying, women’s economic empowerment programs, and access to government financing through SACCO initiatives.
“The numbers speak for themselves,” said Joseph Emuron, a local political commentator.
“Adoa has been on the ground, delivering services and speaking up for her people in Parliament and Cabinet. She hasn’t relied on social media rhetoric, she has relied on results.”
Interviews conducted with voters across Serere shortly after the poll results were released echoed a consistent sentiment: Hon. Adoa is seen not just as a politician, but as a motherly figure and community problem-solver.
“She doesn’t wait for elections to show up. When schools needed desks, she was there. When our boreholes dried up, she helped us get them fixed,” said Sarah Akol, from Kadungulu Sub-county.
“What we want is a leader who speaks for us, and Hon. Adoa has done that. These polls reflect what we feel,” added Paul Obore, a boda boda rider from Soroti Town.
The poll has dealt a serious blow to Minister Adoa’s rivals, most notably Esther Lucy Acom, whose vocal online campaign has claimed widespread popularity.
Acom’s supporters had predicted a close race, but the poll results suggest otherwise.
“This is a reality check for Acom,” said Simon Otim, a political analyst based in Soroti.
“There’s a difference between trending online and commanding trust among actual voters on the ground. The people of Serere are evidently loyal to those who walk the talk.”
Even within political circles, questions are being raised about the readiness and credibility of some challengers, with suggestions that some aspirants may need to realign their strategies and focus on community engagement rather than digital hype.
With just months to go before the official campaign period kicks off, the New Vision opinion poll is expected to shape the narratives of the 2026 Woman MP race in Serere.
Analysts say that while polls are not definitive outcomes, they often serve as reliable indicators of voter mood, especially when conducted by a reputable media house with a strong rural readership like New Vision.
In response to the poll results, Minister Adoa released a brief statement thanking the people of Serere for their confidence in her leadership.
“I am humbled and encouraged by this overwhelming show of support. It tells me that our journey of transforming Serere together is not in vain. I remain committed to working with all of you to bring more services, uplift more lives, and advocate for our district’s interests,” she said.
She urged her supporters to remain peaceful, focused, and united as the political season intensifies, and reminded all contenders to embrace issue-based campaigns and avoid divisive rhetoric.
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