Omoro MPs-elect pledge to end poverty, improve service delivery

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The newly elected Members of Parliament in Omoro district have pledged to end poverty and improve service delivery for disadvantaged communities across the district.

Catherine Lamwaka of the National Resistance Movement (NRM), who retained her seat as Woman Member of Parliament, said she is committed to working hard to reduce household poverty and enhance service delivery in Omoro district.

“Our district is lagging behind in terms of development, with a poor road network, widespread poverty, poor healthcare services and low education performance. These issues were highlighted in our manifestos, and I will work on them. I ask the people to remain hopeful,” Lamwaka said.

She noted the need to improve the financial status of local communities by lobbying government support for organised groups, adding that this can be achieved by empowering business communities through government programmes such as Emyooga, the Parish Development Model and the Grow Project, among others.

Similarly, Peter Okot of the Democratic Party, the Tochi County Member of Parliament, said residents of his constituency, including those in peri-urban areas, who received Parish Development Model funds and started income-generating activities, need continued support to help their businesses grow and fight poverty.

Peter Okot of the Democratic Part, MP-elect for Tochi County in Omoro District. (Photo by Johnisani Ocakacon)

“I have been moving around during the campaigns, and I have seen that people still need financial support. This shows that poverty remains a challenge in the community, although the livelihoods of those who received PDM money are improving,” Okot said.

He said healthcare remains a critical concern, noting that many health centres frequently lack drugs and that only a few households can afford to meet medical expenses.

Okot emphasised that leaders should be exemplary and avoid giving handouts to voters, instead lobbying government support so that communities benefit sustainably from government programmes aimed at reducing poverty.

Andrew Ojok Oulanyah of the NRM, who retained his seat as Omoro County Member of Parliament, called on elected leaders in the district to work as a team to fight poverty and improve service delivery.

He thanked voters for electing leaders he described as responsible and capable of delivering results, adding that Omoro district still requires significant development in areas such as agriculture, education, road networks and infrastructure to improve services for the community.

Andrew Ojok Oulanyah, the elected Member of Parliament for Omoro County. (Photo by Johnisani Ocakacon)

“We are committed leaders who will deliver for our people, and I believe that together we shall end poverty and improve service delivery in our district. I ask our people to rally behind us with their support,” he said.

Smooth elections

Meanwhile, Omoro resident district commissioner Emmanuel Okot said the elections in the district ended peacefully and urged residents to maintain the spirit of unity.

“Omoro voted massively for the President and their leaders. We now expect those elected to deliver so that service delivery reaches the community,” he said.

Omoro district returning officer Pady Atuha said the elections were conducted smoothly, without any complaints from candidates or reports of vote rigging.

Voters speak out

Lucy Lakot, a resident of Dino village in Odek Sub-county, called on newly elected leaders to address the persistent challenge of nodding syndrome in the Acholi sub-region.

“The new leaders should also focus on ending nodding syndrome. The problem remains silent in the Acholi sub-region, and affected children continue to suffer innocently without food and drugs in health centres,” Lakot said.

She added that cases of the disease continue to rise in the community and that there is a shortage of medication, noting that affected children require adequate food intake to adhere to treatment.

Lakot said poor harvests last year worsened the situation, as families struggle to provide sufficient food to support their children’s treatment. She urged leaders to prioritise road rehabilitation and lobby for more health centres across sub-counties in Omoro District.

Another voter, Gino Mwaka, urged leaders to prioritise education, fight poverty and improve education standards, saying poor school performance remains a major concern in the district.

The Archdeacon of Awere Deanery in the Diocese of Northern Uganda, Rev. Alfred Komakech, together with the parish priest of All Saints Church of Uganda, called on leaders and government to improve farming practices in the community.

They noted that although residents have land, many fail to utilise it effectively to fight poverty.

Rev. Komakech said farmers struggle to transport produce to markets due to poor road networks and urged newly elected leaders to prioritise road upgrades to improve access to markets, health centres and schools.