“All Patriots, One Purpose”: Former Bungokho North MP Magolo Condemns Divisive Moves, Urges Bugisu to Unite Behind Common Cause

MBALE — In an exclusive interview with this publication, Dr. Magolo John Faith, the former Member of Parliament for Bungokho North and Patriotic Officer (PO) 083 of the Patriotic League of Uganda (PLU), has strongly condemned recent moves that appear to sow division among members based on background, insisting that every member serves the same overarching purpose.

“All members are for the same purpose regardless of their background,” Magolo stated firmly. He stressed that the current moment should be seized as an opportunity for Bugisu to unite for a common cause rather than engage in “useless fights that taint Bugisu’s picture.”

The former legislator, who served Bungokho North in the previous parliament and contested the 2026 parliamentary elections as an independent after losing the NRM primaries, spoke with measured conviction. Having been assigned the rank of Patriotic Officer 083 by PLU Chairman Gen. Muhoozi Kainerugaba earlier this year, Magolo positioned himself as a voice for cohesion within both the broader patriotic movement and the Bugisu sub-region.

His remarks come against a backdrop of persistent calls for unity in Bugisu. Local leaders, including members of the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus and religious figures, have repeatedly warned that internal divisions among politicians and cultural stakeholders have weakened the region’s ability to lobby effectively for development priorities such as infrastructure, agriculture, and service delivery. Cultural leadership disputes, though recently the subject of court-mediated settlements, have also left lingering scars.

Magolo argued that focusing on individual backgrounds—whether political history, previous affiliations, or personal differences—distracts from shared goals of patriotism, national unity, and regional progress. He framed the PLU and similar platforms as spaces where differences should be set aside in favour of collective service to Uganda and the people of Bugisu.

The former MP’s intervention carries particular weight given his own political journey. After serving as the NRM-leaning incumbent, he ran as an independent in the January 2026 polls, finishing behind NRM flagbearer Shafiga Wanyenya. He subsequently challenged the results through a vote recount application (later dismissed) and an election petition whose hearing concluded in the High Court in Mbale in early October 2026. Despite the electoral setback, his elevation within the PLU structure signals continued relevance in the patriotic and political landscape of the sub-region.

Observers note that Magolo’s call aligns with wider efforts by PLU leaders to strengthen mobilisation in Eastern Uganda, including planned activities such as the upcoming PLU Baraza in Mbale City. By emphasising unity over factionalism, he appears to be urging stakeholders to prioritise the bigger picture of development and national cohesion.

In Bugisu, where leaders have long acknowledged that disunity has diluted the region’s voice in national resource allocation, Magolo’s message lands as both a critique of recent divisive tendencies and a constructive appeal. “This should only be an opportunity for Bugisu to unite for a common cause,” he reiterated, warning that internal squabbles only damage the sub-region’s image and undermine collective aspirations.

As political and civic actors in Mbale and the wider Bugisu sub-region continue navigating post-election dynamics and cultural reconciliation, voices like Magolo’s underscore a recurring theme: progress depends on setting aside differences and focusing on shared purpose. Whether the call translates into tangible unity remains to be seen, but the former Bungokho North MP has drawn a clear line—division based on background has no place when the goal is the same.