Kole District, Uganda – There was jubilation in Kole District on Monday as Hon. Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti, the Kole North Member of Parliament, officially crossed from the independent ticket to join the NRM party ahead of the 2026 general elections.
According to members of the NRM District Executive Committee, Dr. Opio Acuti is set to contest for the Kole North MP seat under the NRM (Yellow) ticket in the upcoming elections.
In an interview with the media, Dr. Opio Acuti commended the leadership of H.E. Gen. Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for what he described as remarkable achievements under his visionary leadership. He noted that as Vice Chairperson of the Health Committee in the 11th Parliament, a UGX 139 billion health budget had been approved for the procurement of essential drugs across the country — a milestone he attributed in part to his advocacy.
Dr. Opio Acuti, who ran as an independent candidate in the 2021 general elections, officially joined the NRM Yellow Bus on Monday, April 14, 2025, during a gathering in Kole District.
While addressing the press, he applauded the NRM government for its significant infrastructural and socio-economic achievements, including:
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The Lira–Kamdini road reconstruction
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Ongoing works at Akii-Bua Stadium
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The Rwenkunye–Apac–Lira–Puranga road project
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The ongoing compensation of Lango war claimants for livestock lost during past conflicts
“I’m confident that from 2026 to 2031, I will represent Kole North under the NRM party and win by a larger margin than before,” he said.
Hon. Judith Alyek, the Woman MP for Kole District and Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, praised Dr. Opio Acuti’s decision to join the NRM, stating that his move would help reduce the workload she has been shouldering alone.
To support the NRM office in Kole, Hon. Alyek pledged to purchase 20 new yellow chairs and a brand-new printer, in addition to a computer she had previously donated.
A resident identified only as Ben, from Baramindyang in Kole North, expressed excitement over the MP’s transition, saying:
“The NRM is blessed to receive another MP. We are hopeful that once he holds the party flag and wins the 2026 general election, President Museveni may appoint him to a ministerial position.”
Meanwhile, another aspirant, Patrick Awongo, recently declared his intention before the Kole NRM District Executive Committee to contest for a seat in the 12th Parliament under the NRM ticket. He stated that he will fully participate in the upcoming NRM party primaries.
