By Emmanuel Olinga
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party primaries in Katakwi District have delivered a political upset, with two incumbent Members of Parliament, Bosco Okiror (Usuk County) and Andrew Joseph Koluo (Toroma County), losing their bids for the party flag ahead of the 2026 general elections.
In the early hours of Friday morning, dramatic scenes unfolded at the NRM tally center as final vote tallies were confirmed and announced amid tight security and tense supporters.
At 3:40 a.m., James Otilem, the NRM District Registrar for Katakwi, officially declared Richard Ongorok as the NRM flag bearer for Usuk County.
According to the declared results, Ongorok garnered 9,971 votes, representing 50.7% of the total votes cast. He narrowly defeated the incumbent MP, Bosco Okiror, who polled 9,594 votes (48.7%). Jessica Okwii, the third contender in the race, managed only 114 votes (0.6%).
Despite the official announcement, MP Okiror rejected the results, citing irregularities and alleged vote manipulation at the village level.
“I do not accept defeat because some village DR forms were tampered with and filled in favor of my opponent,” Okiror said shortly after the announcement..“The process must reflect the genuine will of the people, not backdoor arrangements.”
Ongorok, in his victory speech, expressed gratitude to the voters of Usuk County for giving him the mandate he had long sought.
“This has been a journey of resilience and belief in our people. I have long desired to serve under the NRM flag, and today, the people have trusted me with that responsibility. I promise to uphold the values of the party and deliver on our shared aspirations,” he stated.
Meanwhile, in Toroma County, another high-profile casualty was Andrew Joseph Koluo, who trailed in a competitive five-man race.
The NRM flag was retained by Solomon Ossiya Alemu, who emerged victorious with 13,638 votes, representing 40.3% of the total 33,828 votes cast.
Koluo, who had hoped to reclaim his political momentum, finished third with 8,243 votes (24%), behind Walter Elakas Okiring, who came in second with 8,405 votes (24.8%).
Other candidates included Paul Malinga (3,225 votes, 9.5%) and Allan Aporu (317 votes, 0.9%).
Speaking at around 6:46 a.m. after his declaration, Solomon Ossiya pledged to intensify efforts to transform livelihoods in Toroma, focusing on the core pillars of the NRM development agenda.
“This is a victory for the people of Toroma and the NRM family. I will work hand in hand with all leaders, including those I contested with, to bring services closer to our people,” he said.
“My priority remains security, improving household incomes, and supporting agricultural productivity to enable economic growth for our communities.”
Osiya, who is known for his grassroots engagement and steady loyalty to the party structures, attributed his win to his consistent engagement with communities and his pro-people policy proposals.
The twin defeats of two sitting MPs sent ripples across Katakwi political circles, marking a significant realignment in local leadership ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Supporters of the winning candidates poured into trading centers in celebration, while others expressed shock and disappointment.
In Usuk, several of Okiror’s supporters vowed to petition the NRM electoral commission over what they termed as “gross manipulation” in rural polling stations.
However, the district registrar, James Otilem, defended the process, saying all results had been verified and recorded in accordance with party procedures.
“The NRM primary process was conducted fairly and transparently. Any candidate with grievances is free to follow the official petition process within the party,” Otilem said.
Security was tightened at tally centers and surrounding areas to prevent any violence as tensions rose. Local police urged calm and called for unity among all candidates and their supporters.
With both Bosco Okiror and Andrew Koluo losing the NRM flag, the upcoming general election landscape in Katakwi is likely to shift dramatically.
Political analysts believe the primaries have ushered in a new generation of leadership more attuned to grassroots mobilization and service delivery promises.
“These results signal a hunger for change and a demand for leaders who are accessible and proactive. Both Ongorok and Alemu have managed to build strong community-based support networks,” noted political analyst Jane Akol.
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