NRM losers form shadow government in Kwania

BY BILL OKETCH & SANTO OJOK

A group of National Resistance Movement flag bearers who lost in the just concluded Local Government Council elections have formed a shadow government in Kwania District.

Out of the nine seats for LC5 chairpersons in Lango, the opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) took five, including Kwania, Amolatar, Apac, Otuke, and Alebtong.

The ruling NRM party won in Kole, Lira, and Oyam while the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) recaptured Dokolo District, from NRM. For LC5 council, UPC took 16 out of 18 available seats in Kwania.  The NRM only won Nambieso Sub-county LC5 male councilor and Aduku Town Council LC5 male council seats.   UPC won in the nine sub-counties of Chawente, Inomo, Abongomola, Akali, Atongtidi, Ayabi, Aduku, Ayabi Town Council, and Inomo Town Council.

The NRM losers have now come together to form the shadow government under the “Kwania District NRM Shadow Government”.  Marry Cyril Akullo, the defeated Aduku Town Council LC5 female councilor has been elected as the interim chairperson of the shadow government.

Kwania district NRM party chairperson, Mr Sam Omara Angai, said he is not aware of the group. However, some critics said the group is just seeking relevance having lost the elections.

Robson Odyomo, who lost the Akali Sub-county LC5 councilor seat, is the vice-chairperson, MacKay Ocen Obia, who lost the Ayabi Town Council LC5 councilor seat, is the speaker, and Ms Rebecca Kabasinde, the Akali/Abongomola woman councilor candidate was elected the deputy speaker.

Mr Richard Egwar Abili, who lost the Inomo Town Council LC5 councilor male seat, was also appointed secretary works and technical services. Ms Fatuma Adongo, the Chawente/Atongtidi female councillor, was appointed secretary for education and health. Mr Robson Odyomo was appointed Secretary Finance and Administration.

Inomo Sub-county LC5 Female councilor, Ms Juliet Lages, was appointed secretary for Community Based Services and IT Specialist. Mr George Ogwok, who lost the Abongomola LC5 male councilor seat, was appointed secretary for production, marketing, and natural resources.

In an interview with Daily Monitor on Tuesday, Ms Akullo, Kwania District NRM Shadow Government’s interim chairperson, said their government will play a watchdog role.

Written by Noelyn Nassuuna