Former Aruu County Member of Parliament, Mr. Odonga Otto, has officially resigned from his position as a lecturer at the Law Development Centre (LDC) to focus on reclaiming his parliamentary seat in the 2026 general elections.
In a letter dated June 5, addressed to the LDC Director, Mr. Otto stated his decision to leave the academic post he has held for two years, citing his desire to return to frontline politics. He had been teaching Civil and Family Law under a renewed one-year contract since March 2025.
“It was a humbling experience,” Mr. Otto wrote. “I’ve done my best and decided to move on, the rest is for historians.”
The former MP also took to X (formerly Twitter) to inform his followers about the decision, saying he would contest as an independent candidate. He noted that his political calling had never left him. “My first degree was in political science. It’s calling me home,” he posted.
Mr. Otto served in Parliament from 2001 to 2021, first under the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) and later the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC). He was known for his outspoken style, fearless critiques of government policy, and passionate advocacy for post-conflict recovery in northern Uganda.
He lost the Aruu County seat in 2021 to Mr. Christopher Komakech in a tightly contested race. His return bid, this time as an independent, signals a strategic re-entry and has already sparked interest among supporters and political observers in Pader District.
While it’s unclear whether he will run with any party backing or on a purely solo ticket, Mr. Otto’s political reawakening is expected to shake up the Aruu County race.
For now, all eyes will be on how he mobilizes ahead of nomination season.
