NRM’s Ariko ditches Soroti East, faces stern test in Gweri

Soroti City East Member of Parliament (MP) Herbert Edmund Ariko, elected in a hotly contested July 28, 2022 by-election, has now shifted his political focus to Gweri County in Soroti District. The Gweri County MP seat is currently held by Mr Tom Julius Ekudo of the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).

Mr Ariko, who won the by-election after a court ruling nullified the 2021 victory of Mr Moses Attan, cited un-gazetted polling areas as the basis of his challenge. The Soroti High Court ruling led to one of the most bruising by-elections in the history of Teso Sub-region, marred by allegations of violence and ballot stuffing.

Since assuming office, Mr Ariko has reportedly faced hostility from residents of Soroti City East, with some labelling him a “state imposter.”  Consequently, he has redirected his political energy toward Gweri County, a rural constituency carved out in the lead-up to the 2021 general elections. Mr Ariko argues that his service has been underappreciated in Soroti City East, despite what he terms “action-oriented leadership.”

First hurdle

A native of Awaliwal Sub-county—now part of Gweri County— Mr Ariko will have to first secure the NRM flag in what promises to be a highly competitive party primary. At least four other NRM aspirants, including former Soroti County MP Kenneth Esiangu Etunganane, have declared interest in the seat. Mr Etunganane has been critical of Mr Ariko’s shift from city to rural politics, accusing him of abandoning his pledges to Soroti City East residents.

“The people of Gweri should be wary of politicians who caused pain elsewhere and are now masking themselves with money to export the same confusion here,” said Mr Etunganane at a recent rally in Telamot Village. Mr Etunganane emphasised his track record in Parliament and pledged to focus on upgrading Gweri Health Centre III to a health centre IV, boosting agricultural markets, and improving road infrastructure. 

Other NRM contenders include Mr Samuel Eninu and Mr Richard Elimu, both from Aukot Sub-county, formerly part of the larger Gweri Sub-county. Meanwhile, incumbent MP Ekudo has affirmed his intention to defend his seat. A seasoned local politician with deep roots in Gweri, Mr Ekudo warned against underestimating his influence.

“I have served this constituency for years. This is home. Those hoping for an easy ride here should brace themselves for a tough battle. Gweri is not fertile ground for transactional politics—we are farmers with goals,” he said in an interview.

He also pointed to tangible achievements, including bursary support for more than 300 students and ongoing consultations with health workers on improving rural healthcare services. He said he plans to increase bursary beneficiaries to 600 by 2026.

Challenge within

Within the FDC, Mr Ekudo will face a challenge from Mr Jacob Odela, a long-serving party official and agriculturalist. Mr Odela previously worked with World Vision in Karamoja and Teso, focusing on agricultural extension services.

“My candidacy is based on improving agriculture. Once we fix the agricultural value chain, education and healthcare will naturally follow. Better farm gate prices mean better livelihoods,” Mr Odela explained.

Also eyeing the Gweri County seat is Mr David Asubu, a civil society activist with ActionAid Uganda. Mr Asubu criticised the poor state of infrastructure in Gweri, despite its critical role as a food basket for Soroti City. “We grow the food but our roads are terrible. Our health centres are understocked. If elected, I will amplify the voices calling for change,” he said.

He also advocates for the government’s takeover of Aukot Seed School, which is being built through community efforts.

Households in the area have been contributing Shs11,000 each towards the school’s construction, which has reached the ring beam stage.

“The spirit of community ownership is alive here. We are only asking the government to meet us halfway,” he added.

Gweri County comprises 66 villages across the sub-counties of Gweri, Awaliwal, and Aukot. In the 2021 General Election, FDC’s Ekudo won with 7,456 votes, followed by Etunganane (Independent) with 6,462 votes. NRM’s Richard Elimu polled 3,027 votes, while John Robert Oiko trailed with 89.

As the 2026 General Election approach, Gweri is emerging as a battleground that reflects the broader competition between Uganda’s political heavyweights, with NRM seeking to reclaim lost ground from the Opposition.

Plan.

"My candidacy is based on improving agriculture. Once we fix the agricultural value chain, education and healthcare will naturally follow. Better farm gate prices mean better livelihoods,” Jacob Odela, who has expressed interest in the MP seat