As Uganda enters a politically charged period ahead of the 2026 elections, a crucial contest is brewing within the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM): the race for National Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda (Central Executive Committee – CEC).
In this unfolding political landscape, one name stands tall—Hon. Engola Sam—a battle-hardened statesman and a symbol of resilience.
But the real question we must ask is: Who truly carries the scars, the stories, and the soul of Northern Uganda?
Why Engola Sam for CEC?
Engola Sam is more than a politician; he is the torchbearer of the North’s pain and progress—and a passionate preacher of the NRM message in Northern Uganda. His legacy is rooted not in speeches, but in sacrifice.
During the darkest days of the LRA insurgency, when bullets rained and rebels roamed, Engola stood tall, waving the NRM flag when doing so meant certain death. At a time when just mentioning President Museveni’s name could cost one their life in Northern Uganda, Engola Sam chose to stay, serve, and fight.
He was not in the comfort of Kampala. He was in the trenches—standing with a bruised and battered North, enduring insults and violence for being an NRA/NRM flag-bearer in a region gripped by pain and suspicion.
His Legacy
Engola Sam’s record speaks volumes:
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He built churches and inspired spiritual growth.
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He influenced national decisions at critical moments.
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He secured scholarships abroad for hundreds of Northern children.
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He helped connect young people to jobs, including many of today’s serving Resident District Commissioners (RDCs).
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And above all, he remained a pillar of hope, even when politics in the North became a death sentence.
He did all this without a security convoy, armed only with courage and resilience.
Even when electoral politics turned against him (with Cecilia Ogwal defeating him multiple times)—not due to failed leadership, but due to anti-Museveni sentiment—Engola never abandoned his people or the NRM. His losses were not signs of political weakness, but collateral damage in an ideological war.
Why Engola Must Return to the Helm
If the NRM is serious about rebranding and reconnecting with Northern Uganda, there is only one logical choice: Engola Sam.
No, he is not perfect. But his track record, accessibility, historical sacrifice, and inclusive leadership style make him a far better choice than the cloak-and-dagger politics of his opponent, Obua.
The North doesn’t need another gatekeeper of poverty. It needs a visionary elder statesman who leads with open doors and open hearts.
This is not just about who can speak for the North in CEC; it is about who has bled, sacrificed, and served—and that answer is undeniably Engola Sam.
Final Call: NRM, Choose the North Over Narcissism
This is not just another internal election; it is a referendum on the direction of Northern Uganda.
Will the NRM choose a man of tested service, or cling to a shadow who thrives in closed rooms?
The NRM must decide:
Do we want a gatekeeper of people—or a gatekeeper of power?
Engola Sam is the North’s voice of reason, resilience, and responsibility.
Give him the mantle—and let the light shine again.
