Minister Ajedra under pressure over lorry

2021 ELECTIONS   POLITICS

A bodaboda association in Arua is demanding the urgent handover of a tipper lorry promised by President Yoweri Museveni to its members.

The chairperson of Arua Bodaboda Association, Safi Tiyo, recently tasked the co-ordinator, National Resistance Movement (NRM) for the greater Northern Uganda region, Bosco Odochi, with ensuring that the state minister for finance, planning and economic development (general duties), Gabriel Ajedra, delivers the lorry.

"The lorry was a pledge from President Museveni to help us to mobilise support for the party in West Nile. It was handed over to Ajedra on November 10 last year," Tiyo said.

"The minister informed us that the President had called him to collect the lorry due to pressure from the association.

"Time is running out, yet the lorry was for mobilising support for Museveni. Let him bring the lorry to Arua and hand it over to the Resident District Commissioner (rdc), LC5 chairperson or mayor for easy accessibility," Tiyo said.

He blamed NRM leaders for always preventing the people from accessing information and support from the party.

Tiyo also called for transparency and honesty in the party.

Odochi promised to follow the matter up and ensure that the lorry is handed over to the association.

Ajedra said he collected the lorry and parked it at his residence in Kampala.

"I have the tipper lorry. It was handed over to me, but under instructions that I should hand it over after elections. We are not supposed to hand over pledges or give gifts during the campaign period and elections since it is prohibited by the Parliamentary and Presidential Elections Act," he explained.