By Eumu Emmanuel
Dokolo district, Uganda – As the forthcoming by-elections for the area’s Woman Member of Parliament loom, voters in Dokolo district are resolutely calling for a stronger focus on improving service delivery, especially in critical sectors such as healthcare and education.
The sentiments come against a backdrop of persistent challenges facing the region, including poor road infrastructure, inadequate healthcare facilities, frequent stock outs of essential medicines, lack of electricity, and a struggling education system.
Esther Apio, a resident of Awlomer village, emphasized the urgent need for upgraded healthcare facilities. She stressed the necessity of upgrading Dokolo Health Center IV to a District Hospital, citing instances where pregnant mothers with complications struggle to reach adequate medical care due to poor roads and long distances.
Lillian Oluk from Okwalongwen village echoed similar concerns, highlighting the shortage of health staff and essential drugs in government facilities, which she attributes to increased cases of maternal and infant mortality, particularly among young mothers.
Joseph Amyedu, also from Awlomer village, lamented the high rate of school dropouts due to parents’ inability to afford school fees and poor access roads, which contribute to fatigue and tardiness among students.
In response to the electorate’s concerns, aspirants vying for the parliamentary seat have outlined their plans to address these pressing issues.
Dr. Anna Grace Lalam Atine, an independent candidate, vowed to prioritize improving the quality of education and student performance in the district.
Dr. Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal, running under the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) ticket, pledged to continue her late mother’s legacy by supporting education initiatives and advocating for better resources for government schools.
Janet Adongo Elau, the National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer, pledged to leverage her medical background to enhance healthcare services in the district.
Meanwhile, Esther Akullo Obot, also an independent candidate, called for the election of leaders committed to advocating for the interests of their constituents rather than pursuing self-serving agendas.
The by-election for the Dokolo Woman MP seat was necessitated by the passing of the former MP, Cecilia Atim Ogwal, earlier this year. The Uganda Independent Electoral Commission has set March 21, 2024, as the date for the by-election, with campaigns scheduled to last for seven days preceding the election.
As the campaign intensifies, eight aspirants are traversing the district, engaging in consultative meetings and rallying for support from the electorate. Among them are familiar faces from the 2021 general elections, including Janet Adongo Elau of the NRM and Sarah Aguti Nyangkoroi of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC), alongside Dr. Rosemary Alwoc Ogwal of the FDC and Harriet Ageno of the National Unity Platform (NUP).
With the by-election drawing near, Dokolo voters remain hopeful that their next representative will champion their interests and spearhead tangible improvements in service delivery, ultimately paving the way for a brighter future for the district and its residents.
