As the race towards the 2026 elections heats up, the battle for the Zombo Woman MP seat is becoming increasingly competitive.
This is evident in the growing number of female contenders from every corner of Zombo District who have publicly expressed their interest in unseating the incumbent Esther Afoyochan, the backbench Commissioner of Parliament.
Afoyochan made her mark in the 2021 elections by unseating former Northern Uganda Minister, Grace Freedom Kwiocwiny.
Kwiocwiny, now a senior presidential adviser, has shifted her focus to Ora County, where she is set to challenge the incumbent MP, Songa Biyika Lawrence, in a highly anticipated political showdown.
This publication has learned that more than 10 women are preparing to challenge Afoyochan, extensively consulting and lobbying for grassroots support from voters.
However, questions are being raised about why the number of contenders has grown so significantly, and so early.
Traditionally, only a few women have contested the seat. In the 2021 elections, for instance, fewer than five aspirants participated in both the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Party primaries and the general election.
Familiar names like former Woman MP Grace Freedom Kwiocwiny, Grace Thorach, and Akumu Mavenjina were once key players in the race.
However, the political landscape is shifting toward a younger generation of women in their 30s, many of whom feel they have been sidelined from leadership for too long, despite their potential to bring new energy to the position.
The Electoral Commission recently released the election roadmap, indicating that the update of the National Voters’ Register will take place in January 2025.
This has motivated many potential candidates, who are now campaigning discreetly in villages in a “show your face” style campaign.
This publication has learned that over 10 candidates, most of whom are new to politics, are working tirelessly to challenge Commissioner Esther Afoyochan, who continues to enjoy the full support of the ruling NRM Party.
The sudden influx of female aspirants in Zombo’s political scene has caught many by surprise. Questions have been raised about what has prompted them to join the highly commercialised political landscape without fear.
If all goes according to plan, the Electoral Commission has scheduled the elections for January 12 to February 9, 2026.
In recent months, political aspirants, including these women, have attended public gatherings like church services, mosques, and funerals to introduce themselves to voters.
Esther Afoyochan, the current Woman MP, must work hard to defend her seat.
At a recent funeral ceremony for the King of Kebu Rigangi Kingdom in Alangi sub-county, over eight female candidates fearlessly stood up and introduced themselves to the electorate in the presence of Afoyochan.
Shocked by the growing number of challengers, Afoyochan asked, “What have you heard about me? What have you heard about me? We used to struggle with people like Hon. Grace Freedom and Thorach. This time around, what have you heard about me?” Her remarks elicited excitement among the mourners in attendance.
She continued, “I, Esther, am coming back, and I thank God that you, the same electorate, will be the ones to vote.”
Afoyochan, who still enjoys strong support in Zombo, thanked her supporters for standing by her during a time of intense pressure, following accusations that she pocketed UGX 400 million as a “service award.”
In a ruling in August, Civil Division Judge Dr. Douglas Singiza declared Afoyochan and three colleagues innocent, allowing her to move past the controversy surrounding the “service award” saga.
Afoyochan has criticized her opponents for focusing on the “service award” issue to spread false rumours about her instead of presenting clear manifestos to the electorate.
The ruling was celebrated by Afoyochan’s supporters, some of whom even lashed out at radio presenters and journalists, accusing them of sensationalising the debate.
Opponents Speak Out
Gloria Oroma, one of the prospective candidates for the Zombo Woman MP seat, recently concluded consultations in Paidha Town Council after visiting all 15 lower local governments in the district.
In an interview with this publication, she urged her grassroots mobilizers and coordinators to avoid verbal attacks and mudslinging against other political opponents.
She also expressed concern over the increasingly toxic political atmosphere in Zombo.
“During our movement through the district, we realized people are angry with the leadership style in Zombo District. I’m receiving attacks directly, which seem to be a displacement of anger. I’m just a new candidate, but the anger is being directed at me because they assume I will become like the previous leaders who failed to meet the people’s expectations,” Oroma said.
Topista Acamfua, another serious contender, commented, “People should be proud that Zombo has many educated women with the full leadership potential to lead.”
Meanwhile, Evelyn Othora, the District Chairperson for Production, said, “The right time will come when people will know why we are coming.”
