Pader LC5 race: Experience versus change on display

19 January 2026, 19:05

By Ekel Bonny Daniel

As voters in Pader District prepare for the 22 January local government elections, candidates contesting the LC5 Chairperson seat have outlined their development priorities in separate interviews, presenting a wide range of leadership options focused on experience, accountability, economic empowerment, and service delivery.

The race has attracted former leaders, the incumbent, party flag bearers, and independent candidates, each promising to tackle persistent challenges such as poverty, infrastructure gaps, and governance concerns.

Former Pader District Chairperson Oringa Godfrey Larago (2016–2021) says he is seeking a return to office to restore what he describes as effective service delivery and responsive leadership.

Larago told our reporter that managing a district with an annual budget exceeding UGX 30 billion requires experience and institutional understanding. He cited his previous tenure, during which seven sub-counties were created, four town councils established, roads improved, and several health and education facilities upgraded. He acknowledged that some planned projects, including a district hospital, were not completed before he left office.

If elected, Larago said he would focus on accountability, poverty reduction, and improved coordination between central and local government.

The Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) flag bearer, Onen Benard Okeny, popularly known as Akamba, says transforming agriculture is key to lifting Pader out of poverty.

Akamba said his administration would promote contract farming, strengthen extension services, and protect farmers from exploitation by ensuring fair and predictable pricing for agricultural produce. He also pledged to improve infrastructure through stricter supervision of public funds and to expand access to health and education services. He emphasized unity and trust between citizens and local government, describing inclusive leadership as essential for sustainable development.

Dickson Ojok, a district councillor with ten years of experience and a candidate under the Democratic Front (DF), said he entered the race after witnessing persistent underdevelopment despite continued government funding.

Ojok pointed to incomplete public projects, corruption, and delayed payments to civil servants and pensioners as major challenges. He said his leadership would prioritise proper use of public funds, completion of infrastructure projects, and formalised pricing systems to ensure farmers earn fair returns. He described himself as youthful and energetic, pledging to serve without personal financial motivation.

The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) is represented by Hon. Akena Alfred, who says his candidacy is anchored in long-standing leadership experience and knowledge of government systems.

Akena said his experience in leadership between 2011 and 2016, combined with roles in student leadership and the civil service — particularly in the health sector — has prepared him to manage district affairs effectively. He pledged to implement the NRM manifesto, focusing on peace, accountability, household income improvement, and socio-economic transformation. His agenda includes strengthening bottom-up planning, enforcing accountability in budgeting, supporting cooperatives, improving environmental conservation, and building partnerships with development actors to attract investment to Pader.

The incumbent LC5 Chairperson, Retired Canon Fearless Obwoya Oyat, is contesting as an independent candidate following his loss in the NRM primary elections.

In an interview, Obwoya said his priority is to consolidate gains made during his tenure, particularly in maintaining peace, administrative stability, and coordination with central government. He added that his leadership focused on keeping district institutions functional during a challenging post-conflict period. If re-elected, Obwoya said he would strengthen monitoring of government programmes, improve service delivery systems, and promote inclusive leadership by working with all political actors, religious institutions, and cultural leaders.

With campaigns entering their final stages, voters in Pader District are weighing different leadership styles, ranging from continuity and experience to reform and economic transformation. The outcome of the 22 January polls is expected to shape the district’s development trajectory for the next five years.