Race for Agago Woman MP seat heats up as Akori, Anek pick nomination forms

9 June 2025, 3:45 PM

By Freeman Canogura

The contest for the Woman Member of Parliament seat in Agago District has officially kicked off after two prominent leaders picked nomination forms to contest under the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party ticket.

The incumbent, Hon. Beatrice Akello Akori, who also serves as the Minister of State for Economic Monitoring, Office of the President, is seeking a second term. Her main challenger is Hon. Anek Nancy Obita Odong, a long-time government worker currently with Uganda Printing and Publishing Cooperation and a former media executive.

The two candidates were among the first to pick nomination forms from the NRM party headquarters in Kampala. The race has become even tighter following a recent directive by the NRM Secretariat, warning that any loser in the party’s primary elections will not be allowed to stand as an independent candidate in the 2026 General Elections.

Hon. Akori is regarded by many in the district as a strategic political asset, with some party members describing her as “a gift to Agago” due to her ministerial appointment. Her supporters believe her ties to the central government bring direct benefits to the district in terms of lobbying and visibility.

Hon. Oweka Boscify, Assistant RDC of Agago, says Akori’s ministerial role is vital to the district’s progress. Oweka explains that with Akori in cabinet, it’s easier for Agago’s concerns to reach the President, and removing her would be like taking away the district’s voice in Kampala.

Meanwhile, Nancy Anek is making her first attempt at the Woman MP seat, having previously contested for open constituency seats traditionally dominated by male politicians. A journalist by training, she is a respected communicator with deep roots in media. She was the first manager of both Radio Rupiny and Rupiny Newspaper, where she helped establish the brand as a powerhouse media company in Northern Uganda.

Anek’s supporters describe her as knowledgeable, composed, and highly relatable. They believe she has what it takes to effectively represent women and speak up on broader national issues.

Peter Okot, a resident of Forest Ward, Patongo Town Council, says Anek’s calm and confident speaking style inspires many women. Okot says Anek speaks with authority and respect, and her background in media means she understands how to communicate with people across different generations.

According to Steven Omara, District NRM Party Registrar, the party is ready to conduct free and fair primaries. Omara notes that NRM is prepared to supervise a transparent process and has already issued clear guidelines on eligibility and conduct during the campaigns.