In a highly contested election held at Katakwi District Headquarters on Friday, Kazi Ni Kazi Foundation, led by State House staff also MP Hopeful for Ngariam County Daniel Mulalu, once again demonstrated its growing political might by sweeping nearly all executive positions in the recently concluded NRM District Party Elections.
The group’s near-total victory has further consolidated its influence within the ruling party’s grassroots structures in Katakwi, setting the stage for a broader political realignment ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The elections, conducted on Friday, drew widespread attention across the Teso sub-region due to the emergence of competing political camps, high-profile candidates, and intense mobilization efforts.
The polls witnessed an impressive turnout from party delegates, with a total of 673 votes cast.
In the most watched race of the day, John Robert Okiror, emerged victorious as NRM District Chairperson, garnering 335 votes.
He narrowly beat John Bosco Aliabu, the incumbent Katakwi District Speaker, who secured 310 votes in what analysts described as a “battle of the titans.”
Okiror’s win signals a significant power shift in local NRM structures. A longtime party loyalist and grassroots mobilizer, Okiror’s campaign focused on unity, youth inclusion, and development-oriented leadership.
“I thank the people of Katakwi for trusting me with this important responsibility,” Okiror said in his victory speech. “We shall work together to strengthen our party and ensure that the NRM remains the people’s choice in 2026.”
Aliabu, though disappointed by the narrow loss, accepted the outcome and pledged to continue serving the district in his current role as Speaker.
“This is democracy. The people have spoken. I will continue to serve Katakwi and support the party’s agenda,” he noted.
In another landmark win for the Mulalu-aligned camp, Raymond Odeke, a respected legal practitioner and ardent supporter of the Kazi Ni Kazi movement, defeated Hon. Violet Akurut Adome, the former Katakwi Woman MP, to become the new NRM Vice Chairperson.
Odeke polled 367 votes, compared to Akurut’s 170 votes, making it one of the most decisive wins of the day.
His landslide victory marks the end of Akurut’s nearly decade-long leadership as Vice Chairperson of the party, a position she had held since 2016.
Despite the loss, Akurut struck a conciliatory tone.
“I congratulate Mr. Odeke and the entire new team. It was a good race, and I believe they will take the party to the next level,” she said.
Political observers believe the defeat of such a seasoned figure further illustrates the momentum behind Mulalu’s Kazi Ni Kazi Foundation, which has steadily built a grassroots political base since its inception.
While the Kazi Ni Kazi camp enjoyed near-total success, it narrowly missed the position of NRM District Secretary for Finance, which went to Cecilia Anyakoit, who is aligned with a different faction.
Anyakoit’s victory is seen as the only dent in an otherwise clean sweep by Mulalu’s team.
Details about her margin of victory were not immediately available, but her win demonstrated that the opposition within the party is still alive and could pose challenges in future internal contests.
The resounding wins for team Kazi Ni Kazi follow closely on the heels of their strong performance in the recently concluded NRM grassroots elections, where candidates backed by the Foundation secured over 86% of the positions in Ngariam County.
With this latest triumph, Daniel Mulalu and his movement have firmly planted themselves as a formidable political force in Katakwi, challenging traditional power players and redrawing the local political map.
Mulalu, who serves as a Senior Private Secretary for Political Affairs at State House, has officially declared his candidacy for any elective office in 2026.
His frequent appearances at public functions, strategic alliances, and backing of successful candidates suggest a possible clear run against the state Minister for Sports Peter Ogwang, his former political ally turned rival.
In an interview shortly after the elections, a senior member of the Foundation, who preferred anonymity, said, “This victory is for the people of Katakwi. Kazi Ni Kazi is not about personal glory it’s about service, accountability, and delivering results to the grassroots. We are here to work, and the results are speaking for themselves.”
The shifting political winds in Katakwi reflect a broader national trend where grassroots structures are increasingly shaping the outcome of national politics.
Political analysts argue that internal party elections are the first major test of influence ahead of general elections and that those who control the party base are more likely to prevail when national campaigns begin.
With the backing of newly elected district leaders, Mulalu’s network now holds significant sway over party decision-making in Katakwi.
This gives his faction a strategic advantage as the ruling NRM gears up to select flagbearers in the coming months.
Meanwhile, supporters of Peter Ogwang, though not completely shut out, have acknowledged that a realignment may be necessary to maintain relevance.
As the dust settles on the district elections, all eyes are now on the NRM primaries slated for early next year.
With the Kazi Ni Kazi Foundation continuing to gain ground, the political landscape in Katakwi is likely to remain tense and competitive.
Observers say the key to victory in 2026 will lie in maintaining unity, appealing to youth and women voters, and delivering on development promises.
For now, however, Daniel Mulalu and his team have reason to celebrate, having made yet another bold statement in the evolving political narrative of Katakwi District.
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