Lira City Mayor Confirms 2026 Re-election Bid, Vows to Complete Development Agenda
Despite criticism during his first term particularly regarding service delivery, Atul has maintained focus on infrastructure improvements.
By Joseph Okul
Lira City Mayor, Sam Atul, has officially announced his bid for re-election in the upcoming 2026 general elections, vowing to complete the development journey he began when the city attained official status in 2020.
Speaking to the media following a series of consultations with local leaders, Atul said nearly 80% of opinion leaders he engaged with encouraged him to seek a second term to consolidate and expand ongoing development projects.
“I have unfinished business. We laid a solid foundation, and I believe I am the right person to steer Lira City into its next phase of development,” said Atul.
Atul cautioned his fellow aspirants against misleading voters through populist narratives. Instead, he urged them to align their manifestos with the existing Lira City Council Five-Year Development Plan, emphasizing that leadership continuity is key to ensuring results.
Despite criticism during his first term particularly regarding service delivery, Atul has maintained focus on infrastructure improvements.
One of his recent achievements includes the acquisition of a new grader, financed through locally generated revenue, to address the city's worsening road conditions.
The city also plans to procure a roller and a water boozer to support road maintenance and construction.
The Minister for Local Government, Raphael Magezi, who presided over the grader handover, praised Mayor Atul’s leadership, stating that consistency in city leadership is essential for the completion of long-term urban projects.
Magezi also advised against diverting attention to national politics, cautioning that a shift such as contesting for a parliamentary seat could derail the progress made so far.
Atul used the moment to quash speculation that he was eyeing the Lira City West Division parliamentary seat in 2026.
“My commitment remains with the people of Lira City. I want to complete the work we started and fully implement Lira City Development Plan IV,” he stated.
The development plan, which is aligned with Uganda’s National Development Plan IV, includes; tarmacking 15 kilometers of city roads, constructing a modern bus terminal, implementing a five-kilometer urban drainage master plan, developing a well-designed physical development framework, and expanding National Water supply coverage across all city divisions
As 2026 draws nearer, the race for Lira City’s top seat is becoming increasingly competitive. Among the emerging contenders are Romano Okello and Mike Ogwal Olwa Veve of the Uganda People's Congress (UPC), as well as Morris Chris Ongom and Henry Opio Ogenyi under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM).
It remains unclear whether Sam Atul will contest under any political party flag, having previously won the mayoral seat as an independent candidate.
What's Your Reaction?
