Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak South Legislator who was nominated as a sole FDC candidate for 2026 Kilak South Parliamentary race noted that the turnout of aspirants signifies that FDC is still alive in the district despite rumors of its declining strength.
Despite the growing concerns
about the declining presence of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party in
Amuru district, a surprising number of aspirants have shown renewed interest
in its political ticket.
On the first day of the
FDC’s nationwide nominations, which kicked off on Monday, a total of 72
aspirants picked nomination forms in the district to vie for various elective
positions ahead of the 2026 general elections.
The surge in turnout has, however, taken many by surprise, considering that the FDC party, a once-leading
opposition force in the district, had lost ground mainly due to defections of
staunch party members and internal bickering.
Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak
South Legislator who was nominated as a sole FDC candidate for the 2026 Kilak South
Parliamentary race, noted that the turnout of aspirants signifies that FDC is
still alive in the district despite rumours of its declining strength.
Olanya is hopeful that
the aspirants who have picked up nomination forms will put a strong political show
in the coming election and win the majority of the positions.
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While the exit of two
staunch FDC party officials shook many party members recently, Olanya noted
that the defectors were already rejected in the party and in no way will affect
their mobilisation in canvassing for votes.
The defectors are Kilak
North Member of Parliament Anthony Akol and Amuru district Chairperson Michael
Lakony, who crossed to the ruling NRM party early this year.
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Among the parliamentary contestants
who have already picked up the nomination forms in Amuru district include the
incumbent District Woman Legislator Lucy Akello and Agrrey Keith Akera, a LCV Councillor
representing Atiak Sub-county, who seeks to vie for the Kilak North Parliamentary
seat.
Other positions so far
aspirants have been nominated for are Sub-County Chairperson positions, District
Chairperson and LCIII Councillor positions.
Aker, who will battle the
incumbent Kilak North MP Anthony Akol, told Uganda Radio Network in an interview
that he envisions a meaningful representation of the people of Kilak through a community-based approach. According to Akera, his interests will be in ensuring
the community of Amuru embraces education and focuses on land rights management.
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Alfred Odoch, the FDC
Electoral Supervisor for Amuru district, noted that the nomination exercises
were going on smoothly and expects the number of those nominated to rise by the
end of the exercise on Wednesday.
In the 2021 general
elections, FDC candidates in Amuru district swept all the top four political
seats in the district, winning the Kilak South and Kilak North constituencies, the District Woman MP and the District Chairperson seat.
FDC party kicked off its
nomination for district chairperson, members of Parliament, Mayoral, and Local
Council III and V flag bearer positions on Monday. The exercise is expected
to end today as the party prepares for the 2026 general polls.
