Aruu North MP candidates unveil manifestos ahead of 2026 Elections

20 December 2025, 12:50 pm

By Golden Vicky Ayiro

Ahead of the 2026 general elections, candidates vying for the Aruu North Member of Parliament seat on Saturday, 20 December 2025, unveiled their manifestos during the Wiipem programme on Luo FM.

George Kibwota of the Democratic Front (DF) said his decision to contest is rooted in addressing long-standing community challenges. He noted that upon returning to the area in 2013, he realised that black quarter disease was killing residents’ livestock. To address this, he initiated a vaccination programme in 2014, through which over 18,000 cattle have so far been vaccinated.

In the education sector, Kibwota said although Pader District has many schools, performance at primary level remains low. He pledged to benchmark with high-performing schools, particularly from central Uganda, and promised to reward best-performing teachers and learners regardless of the election outcome.

He dismissed claims that livestock vaccines kill animals, saying residents rejected what he termed as propaganda.
In health, Kibwota said over 400 people in Pader District benefited from a medical camp this year and revealed that he has lobbied for two ambulances, which are expected to arrive soon. He also pledged to promote youth economic empowerment through the establishment of youth centers in Aruu North.

Kibwota urged voters to avoid the influence of money politics and instead focus on the lobbying capacity and manifestos of aspirants.

Samuel Ogenrwot of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) said UBOS statistics show that only one out of ten Acholi people can afford school fees, calling for adequate and free education. He also decried the lack of medical supplies such as test kits in Aruu North health facilities and promised to engage government to address the gaps once elected.

On agriculture, Ogenrwot pledged to introduce combined harvesters and ensure access to quality seeds. He said poverty eradication would be tackled through the supply of coffee seedlings and eucalyptus trees, among other initiatives.

George Oola said Pader District ranks among the worst in service delivery nationwide. He called for the upgrading of Pawila Health Centre II and attributed poor services to weak implementation of government policies. Oola said his parliamentary agenda would focus on developing frameworks to eradicate poverty.

Patrick Obalo of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) criticised what he described as weak leadership in Uganda, saying youths are often manipulated by powerful individuals. He called for the promotion of youth talent and urged voters to elect leaders from Acholi rather than supporting President Museveni. Obalo pledged to ensure Parish Development Model (PDM) funds are properly managed and to safeguard Acholi land.

Lagoro Oling Robert (PFF) speaking on Acholi war debt, he says there is need for universal compensation of war victims. He says it is wrong to capture only 30% of the Acholi victims. Lagoro reveals 90% of people such as the widows and widowers, orphans can get support from the current leadership once he is elected.

On Acholi land, he says there is need to reenforce the presidential executive order. He adds the MPs of Pader have made services in Pader weak due to failure in implementing policy issues. Lagoro attributes the major problem faced by Pader district to failure of district councilors to formulate policies that can be implemented in parliament.

The Aruu North MP race has attracted eight candidates: Lagoro Oling Robert (PFF), George Kibwota (DF), Patrick Obalo (FDC), Samuel Ogenrwot (UPC), Hon. Otober Odiya (NRM), Olanya Olenge, George Oola, and the incumbent Santa Okot (PPP).