Rodney Mukula
Soroti, Uganda — The political rivalry that played out in the recent NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) race appears set to spill into next year’s parliamentary elections in Soroti East, as former NRM Vice Chairperson for Eastern Uganda, Capt. Mike Mukula, fronts his son Rodney Mukula to challenge incumbent Herbert Ariko.
Rodney Mukula, a relatively new face in Teso politics, has announced his intention to contest for the Soroti East MP seat as an independent candidate. He is expected to be nominated on October 22, 2025, when the Electoral Commission opens nominations for parliamentary aspirants ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Ariko, the current MP and NRM flagbearer, is widely regarded as a close ally of Speaker of Parliament Anita Among. The two share strong political ties dating back to Ariko’s earlier campaigns and parliamentary work.
Sources close to the Mukula camp say Rodney’s entry is not merely a family ambition but part of a broader effort to reassert political influence in Teso, where his father once held significant sway.
Political analysts note that the contest could reignite tensions between Speaker Among and Capt. Mukula, following a fallout during the CEC elections, where Among reportedly backed Echodu against Mukula.
“The Soroti East race is more than just a parliamentary contest—it’s a continuation of the silent power struggle within the NRM’s eastern bloc,” said one observer familiar with the local political landscape.
As the campaigns begin to take shape, the Soroti East constituency is once again poised to become a political battleground, with loyalty, legacy, and influence all at stake.
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