Two More Candidates Quit Laroo-Pece Division MP Race

The race for the hotly contested Laroo-Pece Division parliamentary seat has further narrowed following the withdrawal of two more candidates, a development widely viewed as strengthening the position of the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Norbert Mao. 

Edward Odong, a 32-year-old medical professional, has become the second contender to officially exit the race after fellow former independent candidate Caesar Lubangakene withdrew last month. 

The Gulu City Electoral Commission Returning Officer, Mike Jjuko, confirmed that Odong formally notified the Commission of his withdrawal in a letter dated 2 December 2025, after which he was duly deregistered.

Odong said his decision to step down was purely personal and followed consultations with his elders and political structure. 

He dismissed claims that his withdrawal resulted from negotiations with Democratic Party President General Norbert Mao, though he praised Mao’s leadership. 

Odong said he has known Mao for a long time and considers him a friend but insisted that the decision to quit the race was not discussed with the justice minister in advance.

“I had no negotiation with Mao. Mao is a good leader, truthfully speaking, and if we are to talk about negotiations with the government or a possible transition, there is no better candidate to do that than Mao. But that was not the reason I stepped down,” Odong said. 

He further cited the need for regional balance in national leadership, arguing that Mao’s continued presence at the national level is beneficial to the Acholi sub-region, noting that West Acholi currently has only one serving minister.

“We are also looking at regional balance. When you look at the sub-region as a whole, West Acholi has Mao as a minister, and then Todwong as a former one. So Mao being in that position is a blessing. But there was no sit-down or negotiation,” he added. 

Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) candidate, Geoffrey Komakech, has also stepped down from the race, although he is yet to formally notify the Electoral Commission.

Late last month, Mao hinted that as many as four candidates were likely to withdraw. During a recent campaign rally, he claimed that Lubangakene, Odong, and Komakech had exited the race out of respect for him. “You youths know that one of your fellow youths, Caesar Lubangakene, who was contesting here, is now supporting me. He left the race to respect me. 

The FDC candidate has also left the race to respect me, and another candidate called Edward Odong has also left the race,” Mao said while addressing supporters in the Acholi dialect.

The FDC Secretary General for Gulu City and the greater Acholi sub-region, Wilson Chagga Oyat, confirmed on Thursday that the party’s candidate in Laroo-Pece Division had indeed stepped down, though he declined to reveal the reasons. 

“Our candidate stepped down from the race, but we have endorsed another candidate for that position. As a party, we cannot remain without supporting any candidate,” Oyat said. 

Efforts to reach Komakech for comment were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to repeated calls to his known mobile numbers. In an earlier interview, Komakech had hinted at withdrawing if the party failed to meet its financial obligations to support his campaign. 

With the exit of Odong and Komakech, the Laroo-Pece Division race now has seven candidates. The contest is increasingly shaping into a three-way battle between Mao, National Resistance Movement (NRM) candidate Tony Kitara, and the incumbent, Fr. Charles Onen, who is seeking a second term. 

Other contenders include Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) candidate Simon Opoka, Democratic Front (DF) candidate Samuel George Okello, and independent candidates Charles Odokonyero and Wilfred Opobo.