Alebtong, Uganda – Steven Omara Anyeko, the aspiring Member of Parliament for Ajuri County, has declared his intention to run as an independent candidate after the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) legal team barred him from contesting in the party’s primaries.
Speaking to journalists at Rosebank Hotel in Lira City, Anyeko expressed disappointment over the NRM’s decision, which stemmed from allegations that he was still a member of the opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC).
According to Anyeko, Bernard Angol, the political assistant to Government Chief Whip Denis Hamson Obua, petitioned the NRM legal team, arguing that he was not a genuine party member. The petition claimed Anyeko was still affiliated with UPC, despite his insistence that he had defected to NRM and was duly registered in the party’s records from Ober Village, Abukamola Parish, Omoro Sub County.
“It is true I contested on the UPC ticket in the last election, but I later crossed to NRM, and my name is in the party register,” Anyeko clarified.
However, the NRM legal team upheld the petition, disqualifying him from the party primaries.
Undeterred, Anyeko announced that he will now contest as an independent candidate while maintaining his allegiance to NRM ideologies.
“I am not shaken by this decision. If anything, it has given me more time to engage with my constituents, distribute seeds, and train youth in vocational skills,” he said.
He expressed confidence in winning the main election, stating that his grassroots mobilization and development-focused agenda will earn him the trust of Ajuri County voters.
With NRM out of the picture for now, Anyeko’s independent bid adds a new dynamic to the Ajuri County race. Political analysts suggest his NRM-leaning stance could still attract support from ruling party sympathizers, setting the stage for a competitive election.
“The people know my heart is with NRM, and they will speak through their votes,” Anyeko declared.
As the race heats up, all eyes will be on whether his grassroots strategy can overcome the NRM’s official candidate in the 2026 general elections.
