The race for Padyere County MP seat 2026 is going to be one of the hottest in the greater Nebbi region, we can reveal. Political analysts have dubbed it as one of the hottest in the region as incumbent Hon. Isaac Ismail Otimgiu, Hon. Joshua Anywarach and Kampala landlord Hon. Olyeko Denis Oryema dubbed young money battle it out for 12th Parliament slot.
Latest reports say Catholics too want the share of the cake after 15 years of Protestants and Muslim rule where Joshua Anywarach (Protestant) ruled for two terms before Otimgiu Isaac (Muslim) took over in 2021. Catholics who are the majority in the county feel that time is now for them to also have a Catholic as their Member of Parliament (MP) representative in 2026.
The three candidates have different religions and this is expected to be at the centre of the elections.
This puts Hon. Olyeko Denis Oryema who is a staunch Catholic in a strong position and favorite to take the seat. He is also a highly connected person to the government.
During the NRM primaries, the six candidates who contested pulled 60,000 votes with Hon. Otimgiu winning with 22,000 votes. The four candidates who contested in primaries opted not to contest again leaving Olyeko, the NRM leaning against independent candidate against NRM Flag Bearer Otimgiu and Joshua who is opposition leaning.
This means Olyeko can win the votes for other four candidates who didn’t come back which amounts to around 40,000 votes including his.
Although he has performed for his, Hon. Otimgiu is not well loved by the people of Padyere including other MPs in the region. The MPs think him showing off his performance on the ground has not gone down well with them because they have not performed the same to their people and are being asked why are they not doing the same to their people. He has brought two ambulances, water tank truck, tents and chairs and many others on the ground which other MPs have not done and this is why the MPs in the region not happy at him silently.
All the three have money to spend during campaigns so the battle is well underway now.
