25-November-2025
LCCTV NEWS
Kampala Uganda-In a decision that blends reward with responsibility, the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) has handed the gavel of party discipline to one of its most grassroots-connected legislators, Hon. Jonathan Odur of Erute County South.
The appointment of Odur, popularly known as “the people’s MP,” to the pivotal position of Party Whip signals a clear intent from the party leadership: to bridge the gap between its parliamentary presence and its grassroots identity.
The moniker “the people’s mp” wasn’t gifted; it was earned. Throughout his term, Odur has built a reputation for being deeply embedded in the concerns of his constituents in Erute South, often championing local issues on the national floor. His new role, however, requires a different kind of focus—turning inward to ensure the UPC’s small but significant bloc in Parliament speaks with one voice.
“The party has made a very interesting choice,” commented a political observer from Makerere University. “Odur has high social capital and respect among his peers. The party is likely betting that his relatable and respected nature will be more effective in maintaining cohesion than a more authoritarian approach.”
As Party Whip, Odur’s job description is twofold: he is both a manager and a strategist. He will be responsible for ensuring UPC MPs attend sittings, understand the party’s stance on bills and motions, and vote accordingly. In the often-fractions world of politics, this is no small task. It requires diplomacy, firmness, and a deep understanding of the political game.
Odur steps into a role that is crucial for UPC’s relevance. With the NRM holding a vast majority, opposition and smaller parties must leverage unity and strategic voting to impact legislation. Hon. Odur acknowledged the weight of the task. “This new assignment is a call to service at a different level,” he stated. “My focus remains on representing the interests of the common Ugandan, but now I also have the duty to ensure our party machinery in Parliament is effective and disciplined in pursuing that same goal.”
The “people’s mp” now faces his people from a new vantage point—corralling his colleagues to ensure the UPC’s legacy and voice are not just heard, but heeded.
LCCTV NEWS
