Aber breaks opposition grip on Laroo–Pece, vows service delivery overhaul

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Newly elected Laroo–Pece Division mayor Gifter Aber of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) has pledged to prioritise service delivery through teamwork, anti-corruption measures and improved infrastructure after she defeated the incumbent Geoffrey Otim of the Democratic Party.

Aber said her leadership would be guided by close cooperation between the political leadership and technocrats to ensure residents benefit from effective service delivery and improved revenue collection.

“As the newly elected Mayor of Laroo–Pece Division, I will not work alone. I will work closely with government workers, town agents, and the Division town clerk to improve service delivery, which will, in turn, increase locally raised revenue. My priorities include road maintenance and opening, as well as proper garbage management,” Aber said.

She also vowed to fight corruption, which she noted has prevented residents from fully benefiting from their taxes.

Aber was declared winner of the Laroo–Pece Division mayoral race by Gulu city returning officer Mike Jjuuko after securing 8,081 votes. The incumbent Geoffrey Otim polled 5,403 votes, while Moses Abonga of the People’s Front for Freedom received 1,005 votes.

Aber contested the NRM flag bearer after winning the party primaries on July 24, 2025, where she defeated Patrick Omaya with 5,993 votes against Omaya’s 779 votes.

Her victory is widely viewed as a significant gain for the NRM in Laroo–Pece Division, a key revenue hub for Gulu city that has traditionally been regarded as an opposition stronghold, particularly for the Democratic Party and the Forum for Democratic Change.

As of January 26, Laroo–Pece Division had raised sh1.084 billion out of a targeted Shs 3.8 billion in locally generated revenue for the 2025/2026 financial year.

Residents have expressed optimism following Aber’s election, with several urging her to address long-standing community concerns.

Alfred Obel, a resident of Laroo–Pece Division, said Aber deserved the victory due to her strong unity with the community even before the NRM primaries, which he said contributed to her overwhelming support. He urged the new mayor to prioritise compensation for residents whose houses were destroyed during road construction.

Sophia Apiyo, a resident of Pece Acoyo in Laroo–Pece Division, called on Aber to improve the standards of education in government schools within the division to reduce the financial burden on parents.

“My appeal to the new mayor is to help us parents by uplifting education standards in government schools so that we do not spend a lot of money on expensive private schools. She should also help install and repair more street lights to reduce the criminal cases of theft and waylaying, among others,” Apiyo said.

Apiyo also raised concerns over access to clean water, noting that residents often walk long distances and sometimes share water sources with domestic animals during the dry season, posing health risks.

At Gulu Main Market, vendor Kevin Lamwaka appealed to Aber to intervene in reducing the monthly lock-up fees charged to traders.

“I humbly appeal to the new mayor to reduce the monthly lockup fees from sh150,000 to at least sh75,000, which is more affordable. I also request Gulu city leadership to relocate street vendors back into the market so that everyone pays fairly,” Lamwaka said.