MP Wadri finally goes to Arua Municipality

A man takes a selfie with Arua Municipality MP, Mr Kassiano Wadri on Rhino Camp Road on Saturday. PHOTO BY FELIX WAROM OKELLO

ARUA- Sporadic jubilations rocked Arua town on Saturday afternoon after the newly-elected Arua Municipality Member of Parliament Mr Kassiano Wadri drove in the town to acquaint himself with the voters.

Gulu High Court Judge, Mr Stephen Mubiru ordered Mr Wadri not to go to the town for three months as one of the condition to secure bail.

Mr Wadri, is one of the32 politicians and Opposition supporters who were arrested on the eve of the by-election.

His lawyers this week successfully fought the ban in court and was granted permission to visit his constituency.

 As Mr Wadri emerged from his car on Rhino Camp Road, women and men chanting ‘People Power’ slogans received him. People Power is a rallying call for various Ugandans who are opposed to the leadership of President Yoweri Museveni who has been in power for more than three decades. It was popularised by Kyaddondo East MP, Mr Robert Kyagulanyi aka Bobi Wine one of Uganda's pop stars

In his usual bombastic voice, Mr Wadri, said: “I am very delighted to be back home. I have now been allowed to come to Arua and interface with the people of Arua Municipality.”

 He added: “I am going to meet the district leaders to raise strategies of how best we can plan for the development of the municipality. I was miles away and this is the first time that a member of Municipality in Arua was voted behind bars. I can only pray to the Almighty God to bless the people of Arua Municipality.”

 The MP who stood as an independent candidate plans to hold meetings with the Municipality technical and political leaders, address press conference on his plans and also meet some of the voters.

 On Saturday, he visited some groups of people and spent some minutes with them.

Ms Grace Candiru one of Mr Wadri’s supporters said: “I am so impressed to see my MP alive since he was jailed. I always pray that God should continue blessing him because he is the one who can fight for our rights. God is great.”

 Wadri and 32 Opposition politicians and supporters are still battling a treason case in the High Court.

Besides the treason charges, Mr Wadri will fight an electoral petition that was filed by Ms Nusura Tiperu (NRM), in Arua High Court two weeks ago. Ms Tiperu says she unfairly lost.