Lira City, Uganda – The political race for the mayoral seat in Lira City West Division has officially kicked off, with more than five candidates successfully nominated by the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) to contest in the upcoming 2026 general elections.
According to Ipeto Aggrey James, the Lira City Returning Officer, the nomination exercise concluded successfully, with a strong line-up of candidates cleared to run. The nominated candidates include:
Mr. Emmanuel Ebong Opeto – Former Chairman of Ojwina Division and UPC flag bearer.
Mr. George Rashid Opio – The official NRM flag bearer, nominated in the afternoon amid celebrations from enthusiastic NRM supporters.
Mr. Anthony Ojuka – A prominent political figure, nominated as an Independent candidate to great jubilation.
Mr. Isaac Ogwal Ogweng – Nominated as an Independent, with significant support from his base.
Mr. Alany Charles – Nominated on the ticket of the National Economic Empowerment Dialogue (NEED) Party.
Candidate Promises & Reactions
Emmanuel Ebong Opeto (UPC), speaking shortly after his nomination, described the process as smooth and successful. He pledged to prioritize:
Renovation of dilapidated public infrastructure, including pit latrines and office blocks.
Improved service delivery.
Better welfare for civil servants.
An end to leadership wrangles and internal divisions within Lira City West Division.
George Rashid Opio (NRM) outlined a patriotic and revolutionary leadership approach. He promised:
Launch of door-to-door campaigns in every ward of the division.
A mobile mayoral office, with working hours from 8:30 AM to 1:00 PM, followed by field visits in the afternoon to monitor projects and service delivery on the ground.
A leadership style rooted in accountability and direct engagement with the people.
Anthony Ojuka, an Independent candidate, positioned himself as a unifying figure and a “real solution” to the division’s long-standing service delivery challenges. He committed to:
Promoting transparency and accountability.
Resolving major political and administrative conflicts.
Restoring confidence in leadership structures in Lira City West Division.
With such a diverse and competitive slate of candidates, the 2026 mayoral race in Lira City West Division is shaping up to be one of the most hotly contested in the region. The campaigns are expected to intensify in the coming months as candidates begin to engage the electorate with their manifestos and action plans.
