Also known as: Hon. Uahekua Herunga
Uahekua Herunga — Swapo deputy secretary general and former chief whip of the National Assembly, who resigned from the whip position in April 2026 citing personal reasons.
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The Namibian
Uahekua Herunga has stepped down as the party's chief whip in the National Assembly
“Swapo deputy secretary Uahekua Herunga has stepped down as the party's chief whip in the National Assembly, citing personal reasons.”
Swapo chief whip Uahekua Herunga steps down, !Naruseb appointed replacementThe Namibian
Uahekua Herunga has stepped down as Swapo party chief whip
“Swapo deputy secretary Uahekua Herunga has stepped down as the party chief whip following alleged mounting pressure from a group of younger members of parliament (MPs).”
Herunga resigns amid pressure from young MPsThe Namibian
Uahekua Herunga has resigned as chairperson of the whole house committee
“Herunga has also resigned as the chairperson of the whole house committee and elections are expected to take place on Thursday.”
!Naruseb new Swapo chief whipThe Namibian
Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga explains that task force implements party manifesto while think tank supports party
“Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga, however, explains that the task force or committee appointed by the president is there to implement the party's manifesto, while the think tank supports the party to ensure its manifesto is carried out.”
Govt overloaded with committees – analystsThe Namibian
Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga said the party has remained quiet to allow the ECN to carry out its mandate independently
“Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga yesterday said the party has remained quiet to allow the ECN to carry out its mandate independently.”
PDM leader Venaani accuses Swapo’s Nandi-Ndaitwah of ignoring corruption claims amid controversial election tenderThe Namibian
Uahekua Herunga dismissed claims that Swapo copied the manifesto
“Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has dismissed claims accusing the ruling party of copying their manifesto.”
Swapo denies copying Lukato’s manifesto amid copygate scandalThe Namibian
Uahekua Herunga denied that any factions exist in Swapo
“Herunga said current squabbles will not in any way affect unity in the party and he denied that any factions exist in Swapo.”
Swapo in funding challenges for extraordinary congress, legal battle loomsThe Independent Patriots for Change has accused Swapo of exploiting poverty and people's personal circumstances to weaken opposition parties, following the defection of former Erongo regional mobiliser Rudolf Kahingunga and others to the ruling party.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
The Independent Patriots for Change has accused Swapo of exploiting poverty and people's personal circumstances to weaken opposition parties, following the defection of former Erongo regional mobiliser Rudolf Kahingunga and others to the ruling party.
19 July 2026 · The Namibian →
Rudolf Kahingunga, Erongo regional mobiliser for the Independent Patriots for Change, resigned and joined SWAPO, citing the IPC's departure from founding principles of democracy and transparency toward centralized decision-making. His departure follows that of Ohangwena regional counterpart Erastus Mwahafa a month prior.
13 July 2026 · Informanté →
Ernst Katjiku informed the Okakarara Town Council in January that he would not seek renewal of his term as CEO, citing personal reasons for his departure when his contract expires on 31 August 2026. Katjiku has spent much of his life serving the community as a teacher, politician, and administrator.
24 June 2026 · New Era →
Eenhana Town Council's N$119-million office building project, begun in 2018, has stalled due to delayed funding; N$9 million is urgently needed to complete the finance wing so staff and customers can use it. The council has operated from an eight-office building since 1999 despite Eenhana's population growing from 2,600 to 16,000.
1 June 2026 · The Namibian →
Construction of the Eenhana Town Council building, which began in 2018, remains incomplete due to non-payment of the contractor. The N$41 million project has had approximately N$27 million spent, with an estimated N$9 million still required for completion.
16 May 2026 · Informanté →
Opposition leaders and labour experts have raised concerns about "jobs for comrades"—the practice of hiring based on political party membership and regional affiliation rather than merit. The Popular Democratic Movement secretary general Manuel Ngaringombe says the practice undermines fair employment and compromises nationalism, tracing the issue back to post-independence hiring patterns within state-owned enterprises.
29 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo has not yet nominated a successor to National Assembly member James Uerikua, who died in a car accident over Easter, despite party rules indicating former minister Peya Mushelenga is next in line. The party has given no detailed explanation for the delay and says it will submit a name to the National Assembly soon.
23 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo's application to evict former freedom fighters camping at its headquarters since October was struck off the High Court roll. The move has triggered internal party divisions, with former secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana questioning whether the legal action was authorised by the central committee, while deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga says the politburo made the decision.
20 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo parliamentarian James Uerikua, 43, and his 14-year-old son died Friday when their vehicle overturned on the Otjiwarongo-Okakarara road after a rear tyre burst. Colleagues remembered him as a sharp-minded, articulate, and humorous legislator with a passion for farming.
8 April 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has dismissed allegations published by Forbidden Stories, based on leaked documents linked to Russian intelligence, that he solicited millions of dollars to support Swapo's 2024 election campaign. He said he will not pursue legal action and denied ever requesting external funding for the party.
25 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo deputy secretary general Uahekua Herunga has rejected allegations reported by Forbidden Stories that the ruling party requested Russian support for its 2024 election campaign. The non-profit news organization reported leaked documents from Russian operatives allegedly showing requests for funding and involvement in disinformation operations, including a fabricated letter claiming UK financing of the opposition IPC.
19 March 2026 · The Namibian →
National Assembly speaker Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced a reshuffle of Swapo MPs across standing committees, parliamentary friendship groups and multilateral organisations, with several lawmakers removed from previous roles and reassigned with immediate effect.
18 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Former Swapo secretary general Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana has warned that the party's vacant vice presidency is unprecedented and leaves leadership exposed to unforeseen circumstances, while raising concerns about selective interpretation of party constitution as the party prepares for its 2027 elective congress.
11 March 2026 · New Era →
Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi has said he will not contest for the Swapo secretary general position or any of the party's top four posts at the 2027 party congress. The announcement comes amid speculation about potential candidates for the party's leadership race, including Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare and SPYL leader Ephraim Nekongo.
5 March 2026 · The Namibian →
Elifas Dingara, a Swapo parliamentarian of 16 years, has resigned from the National Assembly and defended his 2023 proposal to allocate N$1 million to each Namibian as economically grounded, arguing it would convert natural resource wealth into citizen holdings before minerals lose relevance. Dingara is leaving for the agriculture sector, and analysts suggest his departure may reflect internal party dynamics.
26 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Elifas Dingara, a Swapo lawmaker with a 15-year parliamentary career, has announced his resignation from the National Assembly effective end of month to focus on farming in Kavango East. He said his departure aims to allow his successor Christine Haindaka to serve nearly a full term and build institutional knowledge, describing it as deliberate succession planning rather than leaving the next generation to fight for opportunity.
25 February 2026 · New Era →
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah will use public health facilities after issuing a directive for state employees under the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (Psemas) to do the same as part of healthcare system reform. The Ministry of Health says it is strengthening medicine supply and staffing, though some civil servants question whether public hospitals are adequately resourced to handle increased patient loads.
25 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo deputy secretary Uahekua Herunga has resigned as the party's chief whip in the National Assembly citing personal reasons, with former works and transport minister Alpheus !Naruseb appointed as his replacement. Herunga will remain a member of parliament, marking the first time a Swapo chief whip has resigned while retaining their parliamentary seat.
6 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Uahekua Herunga has stepped down as Swapo chief whip following pressure from younger MPs over parliamentary procedures, with Alpheus !Naruseb appointed to replace him. Herunga remains in parliament as a regular MP, marking the first time a Swapo chief whip has resigned while keeping their parliamentary seat.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Swapo MP Alpheus !Naruseb has been announced as the party's new chief whip, replacing Uahekua Herunga. The National Assembly speaker made the announcement Wednesday, noting that Herunga has also stepped down from his position as chairperson of the whole house committee.
5 February 2026 · The Namibian →
Political analysts say the government is overloaded with overlapping committees and advisers that duplicate work and delay service delivery. Critics argue the new Swapo think tank, comprising 37 appointed members, lacks independence and will produce little meaningful output, while a defending analyst says such bodies can help the party and government reassess decisions and plans.
20 January 2026 · The Namibian →