Akiya’s popularity comes under test in Lamwo district elections
Jun 25, 2010
LAMWO was carved out of Kitgum district early this year. The councilors then elected Mathew Ocen Akiya as the interim chairperson. Akiya’s popularity comes to test in next year’s elections.
By Chris Ocowun
LAMWO was carved out of Kitgum district early this year. The councilors then elected Mathew Ocen Akiya as the interim chairperson. Akiya’s popularity comes to test in next year’s elections.
Akiya says for Lamwo district to grow, the people should vote an NRM candidate, other than the opposition who ‘will spend time antagonising with the Government’.
Akiya’s real test will come from the current chairman of Kitgum district, John Ogwok, who wants to shift to Lamwo. Ogwok (FDC) argued that during his leadership, there were many programmes he implemented in Lamwo.
He also notes that the level of transparency improved during his tenure.
“We were simple and approachable. I tried to unite the many factions as far as party politics is concerned. Work, jobs and contracts were given out on merit, and not basing on party lines,†Ogwok stated.
Ogwok stated that he is negotiating with the other opposition parties to be the sole opposition candidate for the district chairmanship under the inter-party coalition.
Another NRM contestant is Marino Ongee Lol, the current sub-county chief of Omot in Pader district. He says he has set a network of youth, elders and churches to see him through.
“When I was the LC5 councillor, I championed the mobilisation of my colleagues at lower levels to create frontier guards when LRA rebels were killing people,†he said.
“We reactivated party structures in Kitgum district to keep the movement fire burning.†“I am a unifier of warring factions and a charismatic leader,†he boasted.
He said he would create border markets at Madi-Opei and Lokung sub-counties to boost trade between Ugandans and Sudanese.
LAMWO was carved out of Kitgum district early this year. The councilors then elected Mathew Ocen Akiya as the interim chairperson. Akiya’s popularity comes to test in next year’s elections.
Akiya says for Lamwo district to grow, the people should vote an NRM candidate, other than the opposition who ‘will spend time antagonising with the Government’.
Akiya’s real test will come from the current chairman of Kitgum district, John Ogwok, who wants to shift to Lamwo. Ogwok (FDC) argued that during his leadership, there were many programmes he implemented in Lamwo.
He also notes that the level of transparency improved during his tenure.
“We were simple and approachable. I tried to unite the many factions as far as party politics is concerned. Work, jobs and contracts were given out on merit, and not basing on party lines,†Ogwok stated.
Ogwok stated that he is negotiating with the other opposition parties to be the sole opposition candidate for the district chairmanship under the inter-party coalition.
Another NRM contestant is Marino Ongee Lol, the current sub-county chief of Omot in Pader district. He says he has set a network of youth, elders and churches to see him through.
“When I was the LC5 councillor, I championed the mobilisation of my colleagues at lower levels to create frontier guards when LRA rebels were killing people,†he said.
“We reactivated party structures in Kitgum district to keep the movement fire burning.†“I am a unifier of warring factions and a charismatic leader,†he boasted.
He said he would create border markets at Madi-Opei and Lokung sub-counties to boost trade between Ugandans and Sudanese.