Akullu wants to break barriers that restrict women into affirmative positions

LAMWO - Grace Regina Akullu, the only female candidate contesting for the Lamwo County Member of Parliament (MP) seat, says she is seeking the directly elected position to break long-standing barriers that confine women to affirmative action seats.

Akullu argues that for many years, constituency seats have largely been dominated by men, a trend she describes as an “invisible, gender-biased law” that discourages women from competing for directly elected positions.

“My decision to contest in the directly elected seat will motivate and inspire many women from grassroots to national levels in all sectors. Most importantly, women have proven effective, transparent and accountable leadership across the world,” Akullu said.

She is contesting as an independent candidate and is competing with six other contenders after the incumbent, Jalon Anthony Okulo Aabauka, and Thomas Oketayot, an independent candidate, withdrew their candidatures from the race after nomination.

Among those she is competing against are Johnson Kekekiya Nyeko of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), George Anywar of the Democratic Party (DP), and Joel Okongo under the National Peasants’ Party (NPP), among others.

Okullo Aabuka Jallon Anthony (NRM)

Akullu said she is exercising her legal right to contest for the directly elected seat as provided for under Article 78 of the Constitution of Uganda, noting that Lamwo County is also the constituency where she is registered to vote.

“I am coming to champion the voices of all citizens by collecting feedback, analysing issues, and proposing practical local solutions for national adoption. I will review and promote policies that uphold gender equity and challenge harmful stereotypes,” she remarked.

Meanwhile, Nyeko of the NRM has pledged to promote unity and industrialisation in Lamwo County. He stressed the importance of aligning the county with the ruling government to achieve faster development, urging residents to vote for President Yoweri Museveni.

Nyeko called on the people of Lamwo to embrace unity and work together for the common good. He said his priorities include improving healthcare services, infrastructure, economic opportunities, and overall community welfare.

He also promised to prioritise the construction of a bigger stadium and to strongly advocate for industrialisation, as well as the creation of broader markets for agricultural products to benefit farmers in Lamwo district.

On his part, DP flag bearer George Anywar said that if elected, he will lobby for an increased wage bill for Lamwo district to enable the recruitment of more health and social workers. He noted that many health centers in the district lack adequate personnel to support services such as palliative care for patients.

Anywar also said he would push for a review of the district quota scholarship system to ensure that each district awards scholarships based on the performance of students who studied within that district, rather than those who sat examinations elsewhere.

Johnson Kezekiya Nyeko (NRM)

He added that he would advocate for an increase in the number of beneficiaries.

He observed that the current arrangement is not competitive for students who studied in Universal Secondary Education (USE) schools and private schools in central regions.

In addition, Anywar said he would engage the district production department to ensure that farmers sign contracts with investors interested in buying their produce, to protect them from exploitation.

He noted that many farmers experience low returns after harvest due to falling produce prices.

He further said he would work with the district to put in place bylaws regulating the sale of farm products. According to Anywar, such measures would support the formation of cooperatives, enable farmers to store their produce, sell when prices rise, and link them to organised markets.

Anywar also pledged to work with security agencies to ensure that UPDF detachments are deployed in every sub-county bordering South Sudan for quick response in case of attacks.

He said soldiers from South Sudan have previously invaded communities in areas bordering Uganda.

He added that he would start self-help projects using his parliamentary earnings to support youth in Lamwo, including poultry farming and piggery, to enable them engage in income-generating activities.