KOLE DISTRICT – A significant political storm is brewing within the National Resistance Movement (NRM) in Kole District following the expulsion of three senior party executives in Aboke Sub-county for allegedly failing to support the party's official flagbearers.
The expulsions, orchestrated by Aboke Sub-county NRM Chairperson, Alex Okello Opio, have been met with defiance and accusations of overreach, exposing deep internal divisions just ahead of the elections.
According to letters written by Lillian Anyati and read by Mr. Okello, the expelled members include,Johnson Obong (aka Obong Agenda), the Vice Chairperson NRM for Aboke Sub-county,Patrick Ayot, the Chairperson for NRM Youth in Aboke Sub-county and Daniel Ogweng, the Secretary for Finance for NRM Youth in Aboke Sub-county.
The trio is accused of actively campaigning for candidates outside the NRM party. Obong is specifically alleged to be supporting the independent candidate for Kole North MP, Judith Alyek.
The crackdown extended beyond the executives. At least fifteen other NRM members from various villages were served with official warning letters for supporting candidates from other political parties. Names cited include Joy Atim Ongom (UPC flagbearer for Kole District Woman MP), Okello Macmoko, Olang Mark, Ocana Bonny, and others.
When contacted, Aboke Sub-county NRM Chairperson Alex Okello Opio confirmed the expulsions. "It is true that I delivered the letter for expelling Obong and the three from the party," he stated.
He called on all party members to rally behind the NRM flagbearers, asserting that "once NRM supporters are united, victory is a must."
The expelled officials have vehemently rejected the move, questioning its legality and vowing to continue their political activities.
Johnson Obong refused to even accept the expulsion letter, arguing that Kole District NRM Chairperson, Lilian Anyati, lacks the authority to remove him from the party.
“The only person who can expel me from NRM is President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, who is the founder of NRM," Obong declared.
He vowed to continue supporting Judith Alyek, stating, "I will continue supporting Judith Alyek because of the reasons I know best."
Patrick Ayot, who is contesting as an independent candidate for Youth Councillor, called his expulsion improper. "He said this was done in bad faith but he will still remain NRM," indicating he considers himself a party member despite the official action.
Daniel Ogweng struck a more conciliatory but equally defiant tone. "My expulsion is not bad but I will continue with his contesting for Youth Councillor Aboke Sub-county," he said. He claimed to have "blessed" his replacement but stated his primary goal is to "mobilize votes for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni."
The situation has created tension among the grassroots, with some of the local leaders who received warning letters demanding that NRM flagbearers who are supporting independent candidates should also be punished for hypocrisy.
This internal turmoil in Kole is not an isolated incident. Reports from neighboring Lira District indicate that some NRM supporters are being forced to support official flagbearers to avoid losing elections, with the threat reportedly most pronounced in Erute North where two NRM-leaning candidates are competing.
The expulsions in Aboke Sub-county highlight the intense pressure within the ruling party to maintain a united front, even as individual ambitions and local loyalties create fractures at the grassroots level. The situation sets the stage for a highly contested election period in the region.
