By Kilak North Member of Parliament Anthony Akol has officially picked nomination forms from the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party as he seeks re-election in the 2026 general elections, marking a new chapter in his political career after years on the opposition bench.
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Akol, who crossed from the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) to the ruling party in February this year, said his decision to abandon the opposition was driven by the desire to bring real development to his constituents in Kilak North, whose poverty levels, he observed, remained stubbornly high despite his best efforts as an opposition MP.
Speaking shortly after picking his forms at the NRM Electoral Commission offices in Kampala, Akol reflected on his transition, saying: “I was in the opposition for a long time. I realized that the poverty levels of my voters were getting worse while areas represented by NRM members were progressing. The issues we raised from the opposition were often dismissed.”
According to Akol, a turning point came when he and a group of leaders from Acholi sub-region held discussions with President Yoweri Museveni and agreed on key development priorities. “That’s the reason I joined the NRM,” he said. “Now, things are moving well. The people are happy, and I can focus better. Even when I was in the opposition, many NRM supporters voted for me because they believed in my capacity to deliver.”
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He argued that being part of the ruling party gives him greater leverage to address the needs of his constituents and attract government programs aimed at poverty alleviation.
Akol’s move comes at a time when the political climate in northern Uganda is shifting, with more leaders warming up to the NRM, citing better prospects for service delivery and economic development.
“I wasn’t winning because of the party label,” he added. “It was because of the trust people had in me. Now that I’m in government, I believe I will be even more effective.”
The Kilak North legislator also expressed optimism about returning to Parliament after the next elections, saying he looks forward to serving again with renewed purpose.
“If God allows, I will be back in Parliament in October 2026. And this time, I know I can deliver even more,” Akol said.
