They have served longest in Parliament and are not about to give up since they have declared interest to serve another term come 2026.What keeps them going?
Gen Moses Ali
Gen Ali has been a towering figure in Adjumani District’s political landscape for decades, earning loyalty and admiration from many voters.
His political journey began in 1994 when he was elected to represent Adjumani in the Constituent Assembly (CA). He went on to serve as a Member of Parliament (MP) in 1996, a seat he retained in 2001,2011,2016,and 2021, despite a brief setback in 2006 when he lost to Mr Santos Piro Erwaga Mulago.
Mr Philip Mondia, a former campaign agent turned critic, says Gen Ali’s political influence stems largely from his historical significance. As the leader of the Uganda National Rescue Front (UNRF), he signed a peace agreement with the National Resistance Army, cementing his place as a key figure in West Nile’s history.
“Since he was the leader of the UNRF, we knew he was a key figure and the only senior person who could talk directly to the President,” Mr Mondia says. He adds that the people of West Nile, having endured a turbulent period of insurgency, trusted Gen Ali to advocate for their needs and ensure the government services reached them.
However, Mr Mondia’s relationship with the army general turned sour in 2006 when Mr Mondia suggested that Gen Ali steps aside to allow younger leaders to take over. “He refused, and that was how we fell apart. I crossed to his opponent and helped him win. That was when Gen Ali lost the election,” Mr Mondia says.
Despite this setback, Gen Ali regained his popularity, though Mr Mondia alleges that voter bribery played a role in his subsequent victories. Ms Faiza Zeena, a young voter from Abiricaku Village in Adjumani Town Council, credits Gen Ali’s continued success to his ability to deliver on promises.
“I started voting in 2021, but when I compared the people who contested against him, I knew they could not perform like Moses Ali. He has been uniting the people of Adjumani regardless of religion or political affiliation,” she says.
One of Gen Ali’s most notable achievements was securing district status for Adjumani in 1997,a promise he made when he first went to Parliament in 1996.
Felix Okot Ogong
The MP for Dokolo South in Dokolo District,has been in Parliament since 1996. The constituents have since retained the 59-year-old renowned Ugandan economist, entrepreneur, and politician to continue serving them for 28 uninterrupted years. Mr Wilson Odyek, a 53-year-old former LC1 chairperson, says: “Money has helped him a lot to retain the seat. Okot Okong has not done much for the people of Dokolo South, but because of poverty, he uses a lot of resources during elections to confuse us.”
Mr Odyek, who is a resident of Gorogoro ‘A’ Cell, says the MP has been using his campaign agents to distribute salt, soap and sugar to vulnerable households.
“He also sends his representatives to mourn with the bereaved family whenever a voter dies. Mr Okot has also purchased a public address system and plastic chairs which are given to people to use during social gatherings free of charge. You only pay Shs10,000 for cleaning the yellow plastic chairs after using them,” he says.
Mr Jasper Ouni, a journalist based in Dokolo, says voters have kept their beloved son around because of the love they had for the late former Dokolo Woman MP, Cecilia Barbara Atim Ogwal. Ogwal, who had abandoned the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party and crossed to Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), died of cancer-related illness from a hospital in India on January 18.
Before death snatched her, Ogwal supported the education of extremely vulnerable children, especially girl children and contributed immensely in the construction of churches and mosques in Lango sub-region. Mr Polly Francis Ayor Omara, a politician assistant to Mr Okot Ogong, says his boss is simply loved because of his “im peccable record” of effectively representing his constituents.
“He has done a lot of things since 1996 when he was first elected MP. Before he was elected, all the churches in Dokolo were grass-thatched but after his election, he started constructing churches, renovating schools,opening roads and distributing farm inputs,”Mr Ayor says. He adds: “Currently, Hon Okot Ogong is sponsoring the education of 47 students in various levels, 18 of whom are in university.”
Abdu Katuntu
Just like his Dokolo South counterpart, Mr Abdu Katuntu of Bugweri County has been in Parliament for 25 uninterrupted years. He wants to spend 35 years before retiring from active politics. Katuntu’s campaign agents believe their MP will still sail through if he contests in the 2026 parliamentary elections, claiming all factors that make him defeat his political opponents have remained constant.
Mr Hassan Waiswa, who has for the last three terms been campaigning for Mr Katuntu, says the MP has a rare character.
“When you tell Hon Katuntu that youth want money, he will tell you to put the youth in a taxi and take them to him after which he distributes money directly to each of them,’’ he says.
He adds that Mr Katuntu always studies the political environment and changes accordingly. This, he says, is partly the reason the legislator had to abandon the FDC flag, which he had held for four terms to contest as Independent in the 2021 polls.
Geoffrey Ekanya
Mr Geoffrey Ekanya of Tororo North County is strategising to retain his parliamentary seat, which he has held for 20 years despite a sharp division in their FDC party.
He has started meeting his voters to level the ground ahead of the 2026 General Election,where he is anticipating to meet stiff competition. Mr Ekanya was the area MP for the Greater Tororo County from 2001 up to 2016. Tororo County gave birth to Tororo North and South counties. In 2016, Ms Annette Nyaketcho of the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) defeated Mr Ekanya. In 2021, the FDC man worked pretty hard to bounce back.
Mr Ekanya was also the Youth MP for Eastern Uganda from 1998 to 2001. He joined mainstream politics and uprooted the late ambassador Paul Orono Etiang, who was the then area MP. Right from the time when the Electoral Commission released the 2026 General Election road map in 2023, Mr Ekanya has been engaging with his voters as he seeks renewal of his tenure in office.
"I hear there are many people who have shown interest in the seat. I welcome them in the race,” he says. Mr Thomas Otim Ochwo, a voter from Merikit sub-county ,says Mr Ekanya is still capable of representing them.
"We would agitate for change but not now because last time, in 2016, we made a mistake by voting a new MP but it became a big loss and we wouldn't wish to repeat the same," Mr Otim says. Mr Hannington Eyang Chuma,another voter from Apetai Sub-county, praises Mr Ekanya for being a vocal and people-centered leader.
He says under his leadership, a number of households recently benefited from farm inputs all aimed at empowering them to fight poverty. However, another voter, Nicholas Owino, says this time round, Tororo North County will vote a National Resistance Movement (NRM) person.
Robert Migadde
Mr Robert Migadde, who is representing Buvuma Constituency on the NRM ticket, is serving 15 years in Parliament.
He attributes his long stay in Parliament to his role in improving health and education sectors of the constituency. “I have built two health centre IIs using my own money,’ ’he says.
“In 2011, there was only one government secondary school in our constituency but now there are three. I have offered bursaries to all students who score First Grade in Buvuma and this has boosted education,” Mr Migadde says.
“Buvuma celebrated its first Division One pass in 2011.’’ Mr Migadde, who is also the chairperson of Parliament Sacco, says he has employed the youth through a boda-boda loan scheme.
“Youth are no longer jobless because they can get motorcycles on loans. In addition, with support from the government,” he says.
Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Kanyontore
Lt Col (Rtd) Bright Kanyontore Rwamirama is another long serving MP in Ankole sub-region. He has been in Parliament uninterrupted since 2001.
He represents the people of Isingiro North Constituency in Isingiro District. He was appointed the Minister of State for Animal Industry in 2006, a position he holds to date, though he had other appointments in between, including State Minister for Veteran Affairs. His slogan is “ ninguma nimbashura” loosely translated as “I always check on you, my people.
“He has always supported us whether you are a Catholic, a Protestant, rich or poor. He is a man of the people,” Mr Joseph Besigye, a resident of Birere sub-county, says.
Byarugaba Bakunda
His Isingiro South counterpart Alex Byarugaba Bakunda, who has been in Parliament since 2006, believes that better service delivery is their weapon.
“Before I became an MP, there was no single electric pole in Isingiro South, but as we talk now, three quarters of the constituency are covered. We did not have a health centre IV, I lobbied for one but when the constituency was subdivided,it went to Isingiro North,” he says.
“I have lobbied another one from the government and they have promised to give us a health centre IV. All our sub-counties now have a health centre III,” he adds. Mr Byarugaba says when he joined Parliament, they only had one secondary school.
“The government has already approved construction of secondary schools in the remaining three sub counties that do not have,” he says. Mr Byarugaba, however, notes that ever since he went to Parliament, the remarkable thing he has achieved is provision of safe water to the people of Isingiro.
“When I was the chairperson of the Natural Resources Committee of Parliament, I worked hard with the leadership of this country to start a project that will provide water to all our 902 villages,” he says, adding that he is offering himself again to continue serving Isingiro South.
"I have touched on major service delivery in the community with resounding results,visible for everybody to see. So, there is no reason I should not offer myself again to continue serving."
Ms Asiimwe Angella, a resident of Kamubeizi Parish in Kikagate sub-county, says: “Most people have his [MP] contacts and when you call him, he responds.”
Compiled by Bill Oketch, Marko Taibot, Felix Ainebyoona Denis Edema, Abubaker Kirunda, Joseph Omollo, & Rajab Mukombozi
