‘We feel forgotten’: Lango voters cry out over poor services, water scarcity
Across the dusty, untarmacked roads of the region, residents expressed deep concern over government neglect, particularly in health, education, and water supply. (Photos by John Musenze and Alfred Ochwo)
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On his second day of campaigns in the Lango subregion, the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) presidential flag bearer, James Nathan Nandala Mafabi, on October 11, took his message to Alebtong and Lira city, where voters voiced their frustrations and hopes for the next government (2026–2031).
Across the dusty, untarmacked roads of the region, residents expressed deep concern over government neglect, particularly in health, education, and water supply.
Ivan Ogwang Odongo, 25, a primary school teacher from Onika village, told New Vision that his community depends on a single Abako Health Centre III, located over three hours away in Abako town.
“I have seen pregnant women walk long distances and some end up giving birth in the homes of traditional birth attendants. We ask the next government to at least give us a health centre in every sub-county,” Ogwang said.
His plea reflects the broader health crisis in the Lango subregion, which continues to record high rates of teenage pregnancies and maternal deaths.
For Sarah Angom, 59, of Abako town council, life has become unbearable. She said she has gone an entire week without holding even sh1,000, adding that many people around her are worse off.
“We are very poor and feel forgotten. We grow sunflower, but prices are too low, and even the harvests have dropped. Government should bring new initiatives to lift us out of poverty,” she appealed.
Although electricity has been extended to some areas, Angom said power outages have become frequent since supply shifted from Umeme. Many homes now rely on solar energy for lighting.
“We’ve not had power for three days. My grandchildren haven’t gone to school this term because of the teachers’ strike. There’s only one private school, and it’s too expensive,” she added.
A four-school survey by New Vision revealed bushy and deserted schools across parts of Lango, reflecting the prolonged teachers’ strike.
The subregion remains among the worst-performing in the country, with districts such as Dokolo and Alebtong consistently ranking low in national assessments.
On October 10, when the FDC held a rally at Namasale Primary School in Amolatar district, the government school was entirely deserted.
A similar situation was observed on October 11 at Awalu Primary School in Abako subcounty, Alebtong district.
Another pressing issue raised by voters is water scarcity. New Vision observed several broken or abandoned boreholes, forcing residents to travel up to 20 kilometres to access a single water source—many of which no longer function.
Rafael Ogwa, a disabled resident of Onika village who says he was once hit by a government vehicle and abandoned, described the situation as dire.
“The few boreholes we have serve over 2,000 people within a two-square-kilometre area. Our MP, Hamson Obua, keeps saying government has done a lot for us, but he never visits. He only speaks on radio, especially now that elections are near,” Ogwa lamented.
More than ten residents who spoke to New Vision and Bukedde TV1 appealed to the government to prioritise education, health, and water access—issues they say have persisted for decades.
In his campaign manifesto, Nandala Mafabi pledged to address these challenges through stronger social service delivery, equitable resource distribution, and accountability.
However, voters remain sceptical, noting that similar promises were made by NRM flag bearer Yoweri Museveni during his rallies in the same region earlier this month.
On October 11, Mafabi held rallies in Alebtong district at Onika town, Awei subcounty, and Abako Town Council before heading to Lira city.
Meanwhile, the ongoing teachers’ strike remains unresolved, with public service minister Wilson Muruli Mukasa issuing a seven-day ultimatum to all striking teachers, warning that they risk being removed from the government payroll if they fail to return to work.