LIRA CITY – They pinned posters under cover of darkness. They were stoned with refrigerator ice. They had ribs and legs broken. And now, two self-described NRM historicals are asking President Yoweri Museveni not to forget the price they paid to plant the ruling party's flag in Lango sub-region.
Jimmy Moses Orec and JB Lucky Akaca have come forward with emotional testimonies of violence, hospital stays lasting years, and decades of loyalty – all before Lango delivered Museveni a thumping 84% of votes in the 2026 general election.
Orec says he joined the NRM in 1997 – at just 13 years of age.
He credits the NRM government for bringing unprecedented peace and development compared to any past administration. But he quickly adds a painful caveat.
"The problem is that the NRM of nowadays are not united like those of us who were the first to join and encountered many challenges," Orec said.
He named Ker Wegi, Betty Okwir, and Ogom Arac as among the historicals who would literally reach into their own pockets to fund the party.
"They would pick money from their pockets to support the NRM," Orec recalled.
Orec's own sacrifice was brutal. He says he was badly beaten by Lira boys, an attack that broke his ribs and landed him in Mulago Hospital for one full year.
"Back then, NRM leaders and supporters had love and respect for one another," he said. "We suffered and kept the party in Lango – in Lira District and Apac District."
His message to current NRM office-bearers is direct: Don't forget the historical cadres.
"I want President Museveni to reward us for keeping the party until the people of Lango started loving it – and gave a big number of votes in the 2026 election," Orec said.
JB Lucky Akaca's story is no less painful.
On January 18, 2001, Akaca carried President Yoweri Museveni on his motorcycle all the way to the former Akiibua Stadium.
But the price of that ride – and of his support dating back to 1993 – has been devastating.
"I was knocked and broke my legs, and I now limp," Akaca said. He spent two years in hospital for supporting NRM.
Akaca recalls standing in the rain at Minister San Engola's place in Adekokwok just to greet the president. That day, those who greeted Museveni included:Orec Jimmy Moses,Ocan Moo Yao,Susan Engola,Okaka Tall,Ongom Onyuu,Onaba Aboyiand Amot John
"When President Museveni was coming to Lango, we would pin his posters and they would be guarded by the army," Akaca said. "But after his rally in the evening, everyone would remove the posters."
He described a chilling routine: passing under a bamboo plant in Orlando, where they would be stoned with refrigerator ice – solid blocks thrown as weapons – and beaten badly because the ADOC committee never wanted them.
Akaca listed other historicals who suffered for NRM in Lango:The late Abili of Lira District,Latigo Olal,Boyi Erukana,Engola Sam,Ongora Atwai,Rajab Shaban And himself
Akaca's personal situation is dire. His wife died in September last year, leaving him to care for five children alone.
He now wants President Museveni to fulfill a promise: a tipper lorry.
"The president said he would fulfill this after elections," Akaca said. He appealed to Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng Ocero – the Lira City NRM Chairperson, government Chief Whip, and NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda Denis Hamson Obua – to help him follow up on the promise.
Akaca praised Museveni for appointing four ministers from Lango – but wants two more to match neighboring sub-regions.
He specifically named Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti (Kole North MP) and Denis Hamson Obua
"Museveni got 84% from Lango," Akaca noted. "Teso and Acholi sub-regions have six ministers each. Lango deserves six ministers too."
