Ogur, Lira – March 19, 2025
Retired Major Emmy Johnson Opio, who has declared his interest in contesting for the Erute North MP seat in 2026, has claimed that all opposition parties in Uganda have been compromised by the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
Speaking at a community gathering in Ogur Parish, where he was educating farmers on cocoa, coffee, and vanilla cultivation, Major Opio alleged that opposition parties, including the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), Democratic Party (DP), and Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), have been “bought” by NRM.
“UPC and its president, DP and its president, FDC and its president—all have been bought by NRM, including their leaders. Now, NRM is left with buying NUP (National Unity Platform). There is no way they can win the election,” Opio stated.
He further warned that anyone joining these opposition parties would unknowingly be sold out. “If you forget and join UPC, they will buy you together with the party. Their leaders will have sold you while you are not knowing,” he added.
Beyond politics, Opio urged the people of Lango to shift from traditional commercial crops like sunflower, soya, and maize, arguing that cocoa and coffee farming would bring long-term wealth. “If you want to be rich forever, plant cocoa and coffee,” he advised.
Major Opio’s remarks come as political activity intensifies ahead of the 2026 general elections, with debates about the strength of Uganda’s opposition continuing to shape the political landscape.
