Senior Presidential Advisor in charge of the Lango zone, Hon. Sam Engola, has criticized some politicians in the Lango sub-region for turning funeral places into their campaign platforms.
“If you want to campaign, go to market places or organize a campaign rally in a public place, but don’t bring it to funeral places,” Engola stated. “As a clan head, I have always rejected the idea of allowing politicians to turn funeral places into their campaign grounds.”
Engola’s statement was met with widespread approval by the thousands of mourners who attended the burial ceremony of the late NRM cadre Tonny Oteng last week. Engola’s remarks have stirred the political atmosphere in Erute South and Northern Uganda, especially with his recent declaration to contest for both the Erute South MP seat and the NRM Northern Vice Chairman position, as several candidates enter the race for the 2026 elections.
Erute South Constituency in Lira District is on the brink of a political revolution, with Hon. Sam Engola planning a large-scale developmental agenda ahead of the 2026 elections across all the sub-counties in Erute South. With overwhelming grassroots support in all the sub-counties of Erute South and Northern Uganda, Engola’s political bid has steadily gained momentum. He is focusing on a development-driven agenda for the region.
Pamela Angwec, a 30-year-old prominent figure from Amac Sub-county in Lira District, noted that Sam Engola has significantly improved the standard of education during his tenure as the Erute South MP. For instance, last year, he distributed PLE pre-exams to all the schools in Erute South County. Another voter, Ben from Abolet Parish in Erute South, lamented years of stagnation and ineffective representation, recalling that former minister Engola—now Senior Presidential Advisor—had set high standards that his successors have failed to uphold.
“This time around, we will not be deceived anymore. Hon. Sam Engola has our support because he donated iron sheets to build churches in Bar, Itek, Amac, and Asiodyek, among other areas,” said Okello.
Senior Presidential Advisor on Lango Affairs, Hon. Sam Engola, who is also vying for the Erute South MP seat and NRM Northern Vice Chairperson, has again criticized politicians in Lango who take advantage of funeral rites as campaign platforms, urging them to desist from this practice.
“Our cultural leaders must ensure that funerals remain places of mourning, not for campaigns or politics. Leaders should take their campaigns to market places and trading centers, not to burial sites,” Engola emphasized.
Engola praised the late Tonny Oteng for his dedication to the NRM party, recognizing his role in mobilizing NRM supporters in Bar and Itek Sub-county. The political battle in Lira is intensifying as the 2026 elections draw closer, with issues like service delivery, road infrastructure, and district restructuring taking center stage. Engola is being commended by many voters for his pro-community stance and is hopeful that he will be voted back to parliament.
Hon. Sam Engola conveyed the generous condolences of Rt. Hon. Richard Todwong to the bereaved family of the late NRM supporter, Tonny Oteng (RIP).
Lira District RDC, Lillian Eyal, said since the deceased loved H.E. the President and was a supporter of Museveni, all his votes should now be given by the people of Erute South to Hon. Sam Engola.
The burial was attended by prominent NRM and UPC figures, including NRM spokesperson for Lira District Ocen Jacob, RDC Lillian Eyal, Lira District LCV Chairperson RCM Okello Orik, LC3 chairpersons from various sub-counties, NRM cadres, district councilors, and UPC’s Ongina Florence Adupa, among others.
