Kole Woman MP seat race gains momentum
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However, critics claim after getting elected, Acheng went to Parliament and has rarely been heard of since. They say things have got so bad, colleagues in the Congress party are already plotting how to unseat her in the forthcoming UPC primaries.
Kole- Kole District Woman Member of Parliament Joy Ruth Acheng seems to be up against it in the 2016 general elections although she remains confident about her chances, insisting that her critics are blind to what she has achieved for the constituency.
When this district was carved out of Apac in 2010, Ms Acheng became the first woman MP, winning election on a UPC ticket. She garnered 20,049 votes, defeating her closest rival, Molly Ayoo Obua (NRM) who got 14,087. Independent candidate Anne Alum Ogwal managed 13,586 votes.
However, critics claim after getting elected, Acheng went to Parliament and has rarely been heard of since. They say things have got so bad, colleagues in the Congress party are already plotting how to unseat her in the forthcoming UPC primaries.
Others claim she could have been compromised by the NRM, thus keeping silent on issues affecting the people who sent her to Parliament.
One of the UPC members hoping to replace Acheng is Christine Oloi. Oloi, who works for one of the radios in Kole, says the incumbent has ashamed UPC by failing to deliver her campaign promises four years down the road.
“We cannot sit back and watch when the leaders on UPC ticket are not doing what took them to Parliament; we are better substitutes and we know the issues affecting the locals better,” she said.
A view gaining currency on the ground is that there are a lot of government projects which the people of Kole have not benefited from simply because there is no one to direct them to the district.
“Ms Acheng cannot associate herself with any developmental activity in the area she represents,” Oloi says.
The Uganda Peoples Congress chairman Kole District, Charles Okeng Olet, agrees with the incumbent’s critics. Olet believes Acheng betrayed them.
He says it is indeed the unfortunate truth that ever since she went to Parliament, she has never returned to the district to share in the plight of the people that she represents.
“Whenever we call her to share with her what is on the ground, she does not respond and she instead says we want her money. We have already identified our potential candidate Oloi, whom we think will help our people on the ground in addressing the most biting issues,” Mr Okeng says.
Others in the race are Joan Apio, a regional general secretary for the Lango War Claimants Association.
Apio, who holds Diploma in Public Administration, is currently pursuing a Diploma in Business Studies at the nearby Uganda College of Commerce Aduku. If elected, she says, voters will be her priority.
“With my meagre resources, I have been able to support farmers through a coffee growing project and other projects to improve the livelihoods of the communities through agriculture,” Ms Apio points out as evidence of her reliability.
These three faces are likely to be joined by Ms Anne Alum Ogwal who hopes to return on the NRM ticket. At the last elections, Ogwal stood as an Independent and lost to Acheng. She has been something of a political nomad having first contested in the UPC primaries where she lost to Acheng.
Alum went to Nabumali High School, and holds a diploma in law. She volunteered at the Magistrate’s Court, Apac, between 2002 and 2004. Currently, she is Kole’s senior community development officer
“The representation in Kole is so poor; the elected leaders have neglected the electorate. They are just working for their selfish interest, forgetting the interest of, and the mandate given to them by the electorate,” she says.
The environment
Kole is surrounded by a swamp and marshes which flood whenever the rains fall very heavily, cutting off the area from the rest of the country. During times like this, the people expect their political leaders to bring their plight to national attention but this has not happened. It is also believed that compared to other young districts which attained local government status in 2010, Kole continues to lag behind.
“They do not have their people at heart,” Alum accuses. “They only want people’s votes and that’s all. This time round we are saying that such leaders should seek office somewhere else.”
Meanwhile, the NRM flag bearer in 2011, Ayoo, is brimming with confidence that she will make it this time. Ayoo is counting on the people’s disappointment with the incumbent, who she also accuses of having not delivered what was required of her.
After Ayoo lost to Acheng in 2011, she was posted to Lamwo District as the Resident District Commissioner, a civil service position she still holds to-date.
“I recently received a team from Kole District who were visiting Lamwo and they were mesmerised at the development that I have spearheaded. It’s on that note that they have requested me to contest come 2016.
“My people in Kole District have seen what I am doing in Lamwo District and they are calling me to come back home and serve them. I believe I will win the 2016 elections since I am more prepared to serve the people” she says.
Ayo says she believes the developments she implemented in Lamwo could as well be done in Kole if given opportunity to serve her people in Parliament.
Ayo blames the current Kole District Woman Member of Parliament for not guiding residents on the presidential manifesto; youth and women affairs, and being an absentee leader.
“She does not come home to attend to issues affecting the local community. She is always in Kampala and does not even know what is on the ground, how can such a leader understand the problems of her people and deliver services effectively?”
Ayo is a teacher with 30 years experience under her belt. She has also worked with Uganda Peoples Defence Forces’ Widows Association since her late husband was an army officer.
Acheng reacts to criticism
However, the incumbent Acheng maintains that her relationship with the voters is still strong, describing the criticism of her tenure as unfortunate.
She says she has lobbied for agricultural projects through her contacts abroad though they have not yet taken shape and initiated a piggery project that will benefit the entire district.
“I welcome all the positive criticism, but those eyeing the seat should go slow because the electorate will prove them wrong with the ballots come 2016 general elections.
“If it was not because of my lobbying power, the rural electrification project would not have started in Kole, but I’m afraid those critics are blind and they don’t know what they are talking about,” Ms Acheng says, adding that detractors will not discourage her from delivering services to the populace.
Achieng holds Masters in Management Studies, a Bachelor of Education and Certificate in Administrative Law. In Parliament, she is a member of the two committees on Physical Infrastructure and HIV/Aids, and related matters.
Other possible candidates include businesswoman Stella Oleke, a radio presenter at Unity FM, and Lira NRM women league chair, Caroline Adong, who holds a Diploma in Public Relations.
Possible contenders for 2016 elections
Joan Apio, NRM, a regional general secretary for the Lango War Claimants Association. Holds Diploma in Public Administration and is currently pursuing a Diploma in Business Studies at the nearby Uganda College of Commerce Aduku
Molly Ayo Obua , Acheng’s main rival in 2011 polls. She is the Resident District Commissioner, Lamwo. Obua is a teacher with 30 years teaching experience under her belt. She has also worked with Uganda Peoples Defence Forces’ Widows Association since her late husband was an army officer.
Joy Ruth Acheng, the Woman MP (UPC). holds Masters in Management Studies, a Bachelor of Education and Certificate in Administrative Law. In Parliament, she is a member of the two committees on Physical Infrastructure and HIV/Aids, and related matters.
Anne Alum Ogwal, NRM. One of Acheng’s 2011 rivals, went to Nabumali High School, and holds a diploma in law. She volunteered at the Magistrate’s Court, Apac, between 2002 and 2004. Currently, she is Kole’s senior community development officer.