The National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) party-leaning Oyam councillors.

The move is intended for the councillors to implement the Government manifesto in the move to strengthen the fight against poverty in the district.

The councillors, who signed the MOU on Friday, included Tonny Ocen (Iceme Sub-county), Doreen Alego (Youth district female councillor), Bless Loy Ajok (female councillor), Aleka Ojok Geoffrey Eyep and Sadam Okullu Onimo, youth district chairperson oyam. Others were Cryspus Ayena Odongo (former Oyam North Member of Parliament) and UPC mobilizer Oyam Opio George Rashid.  

(L-R) Enoch Barata, the NRM Director of Legal services, Hajjat Medina Naham, the NRM director of Finance, Bless Loy Ajok, the female councilor, Opio George Rashid, UPC mobilizer Oyam, Sadam Okullu Onimo, Youth District Chairperson Oyam, Richard Todwong, the NRM secretary General, Tonny Ocen of Iceme Sub County, Doreen Alego, Youth district female councilor, Aleka Ojok Geoffrey and Patrick Obura , the PS to deputy NRM secretary thumbing NRM sign after signing MOU with Oyam UPC Councilors .This at NRM Secretariate Kyadondo Kampala on August 4, 2023. (Photo by Ramadhan Abbey)

The councillors now have the responsibility of monitoring Government programmes including the Parish Development Model (PDM).  

The councillors were led by Odongo, who signed an MOU with NRM secretary general Richard Todwong, NRM director legal services Enock Barata and NRM director of Finance Hajjat Medina Naham Ojale.

Speaking after signing MOU at NRM secretariat on Friday, August 4, 2023, Todwong, said: "We
have signed an MOU with you, the local leaders especially councillors, sub-counties chairpersons so that you can do your implementation role because you’re in the centre of development".

Todwong noted that the councillors coming out openly to work with NRM is a big sign of unity: Let's focus on promoting the lives of communities, promote things that unite people rather than dividing them.

Barata said the councillors are currently barred from joining NRM until in the final year of their term of office, but the MOU will help NRM to mobilise locals to embrace Government programmes through them.

UPC counselors also speak out.

Tonny Ocen, the councillor of Iceme sub-county, said they choose to partner with NRM to take the lead in securing the future of their people in the district, especially in sensitising people to embrace Government poverty alleviation programmes.

‘’There is no way you can secure your future without sitting on the table where the cake is divided from. So, the agreement is geared to lobby for our people’’ Ocen said.

“We have entered into an agreement and later on when our term of office with UPC elapses, automatically, we shall be NRM members officially,” he added.

"We know what we are doing and we hope to make everyone understand the good mission and vision of the ruling party," Ocen said.