Tribal tensions haunt Tororo candidates
Dec 10, 2010
THE race for the Tororo LC5 chairperson will be one of the hottest in the country. Although three candidates, Emmanuel Osuna (NRM), Apolo Jaramogi (FDC) and Emmanuel Ofumbi (UPC) have been nominated, the battle lies between Osuna and Jaramogi.
By Moses Nampala
THE race for the Tororo LC5 chairperson will be one of the hottest in the country. Although three candidates, Emmanuel Osuna (NRM), Apolo Jaramogi (FDC) and Emmanuel Ofumbi (UPC) have been nominated, the battle lies between Osuna and Jaramogi.
It is a district where ethnic tension has been high, with the Iteso demanding a split from the majority Jopadhola, citing marginalisation.
In the early 2000s, an Etesot ate a rat in front of President Yoweri Museveni to demonstrate how they badly needed a district to safeguard their cultural identity. They were in the news again last year when Tororo County MP Geoffrey Ekanya, backed by Tororo Municipality MP Sanjay Tana, revived the demands.
Local Government minister Adolf Mwesige initially agreed with them and proposed to split the district into Mukuju and Kisoko, killing the name of the mother district and placing Tororo Municipality on the side of the Iteso. His proposal angered the Jopadhola, who opposed it until it was shelved.
The issues are resurfacing ahead of elections. All three candidates are Jopadhola but the Iteso, who occupy mostly Tororo County, could determine the outcome because they are likely to have a block vote for the one who considers their interests.
Some residents of Tororo County have vowed to punish the incumbent, Emmanuel Osuna, by voting his rivals. They accuse Osuna of standing in their way when they wanted a district. “We have been marginalised over social services,†says Emmy Emojong, a voter in Kwapa.
Enock Ojwang, however, concedes that while Osuna may have very little support in Tororo county, he has overwhelming support in West Budama North and South. Besides, the majority of the people belong to NRM party.
However, Osuna finds himself caught in the bitter rivalry between Dr. Emmanuel Otaala (NRM) and Jacob Oboth Oboth (Independent). Some of Otaala’s supporters have told Osuna they will not vote for him because if Oboth goes against Otaala.
Jaramogi will have to work hard to win the election because his party has little presence in the district. His main strength could lie in the fact that he is the director of a charitable organisation that has supported many members of the community.
THE race for the Tororo LC5 chairperson will be one of the hottest in the country. Although three candidates, Emmanuel Osuna (NRM), Apolo Jaramogi (FDC) and Emmanuel Ofumbi (UPC) have been nominated, the battle lies between Osuna and Jaramogi.
It is a district where ethnic tension has been high, with the Iteso demanding a split from the majority Jopadhola, citing marginalisation.
In the early 2000s, an Etesot ate a rat in front of President Yoweri Museveni to demonstrate how they badly needed a district to safeguard their cultural identity. They were in the news again last year when Tororo County MP Geoffrey Ekanya, backed by Tororo Municipality MP Sanjay Tana, revived the demands.
Local Government minister Adolf Mwesige initially agreed with them and proposed to split the district into Mukuju and Kisoko, killing the name of the mother district and placing Tororo Municipality on the side of the Iteso. His proposal angered the Jopadhola, who opposed it until it was shelved.
The issues are resurfacing ahead of elections. All three candidates are Jopadhola but the Iteso, who occupy mostly Tororo County, could determine the outcome because they are likely to have a block vote for the one who considers their interests.
Some residents of Tororo County have vowed to punish the incumbent, Emmanuel Osuna, by voting his rivals. They accuse Osuna of standing in their way when they wanted a district. “We have been marginalised over social services,†says Emmy Emojong, a voter in Kwapa.
Enock Ojwang, however, concedes that while Osuna may have very little support in Tororo county, he has overwhelming support in West Budama North and South. Besides, the majority of the people belong to NRM party.
However, Osuna finds himself caught in the bitter rivalry between Dr. Emmanuel Otaala (NRM) and Jacob Oboth Oboth (Independent). Some of Otaala’s supporters have told Osuna they will not vote for him because if Oboth goes against Otaala.
Jaramogi will have to work hard to win the election because his party has little presence in the district. His main strength could lie in the fact that he is the director of a charitable organisation that has supported many members of the community.