NRM, FDC share Soroti city youth seats
NRM’s Shaban Abas emerged victorious in the male youth race after securing 129 votes, defeating Andrew Omoding, an independent candidate who garnered 65 votes. A third contender, Lazaro Epolu, failed to secure any votes.
Soroti City youth celebrate the victory of their candidates. (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)
SOROTI - The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) and the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) have shared the youth representation seats in Soroti city following elections held on Wednesday (January 21).
While the NRM retained the male youth councillor seat, the FDC secured the female youth position, paving the way for bipartisan youth representation in the Soroti City Council, which is expected to commence its work in May this year.
NRM’s Shaban Abas emerged victorious in the male youth race after securing 129 votes, defeating Andrew Omoding, an independent candidate who garnered 65 votes. A third contender, Lazaro Epolu, failed to secure any votes.
Abas replaces John Junior Okwii Ekutelek as the Soroti city male youth councillor.
Speaking after his victory, Abas pledged to champion youth employment, saying he would lobby for young people to be given priority whenever the city advertises job opportunities through the city service commission.
A graduate of Kyambogo University with a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences, majoring in Public Administration, Abas also committed to advocating for youth skills development through technical and vocational training.
He cited the Soroti Skilling Hub and other training centres as key platforms for equipping young people with practical skills to enhance their employability.
NRM'S Shaban Abas who won city youth councilor seat (male). (Credit: Godfrey Ojore)
“Every time the city advertises for jobs, my role will be to ensure that the youth are always considered because many young people have failed to get jobs despite having the required qualifications,” Abas said.
In the female youth councillor race, Patricia Ayo Elubu of the Forum for Democratic Change emerged the winner after polling 102 votes, defeating the NRM’s Judith Apeduno, who secured 75 votes. Felistus Audo came third with 18 votes.
Ayo, a student of biomedical laboratory technology at Rubaga, said her focus would be on uniting the youth across Soroti City and effectively articulating their concerns at the council.
“I will be their voice in the council,” Ayo said as she is set to replace Harriet Agwang.
The election was presided over by Danile Ogiro and was held at Obuku in Soroti City West Division.
The assistant resident city commissioner for Soroti City West, Musa Oroma, commended the youth for maintaining discipline and order throughout the electoral process.