Hon Raphael Magezi the Minister for Local government has told the people of Katakwi to vote back H.E Maj Jessica Alupo Epel (Rtd) the Vice President of Uganda as their woman MP so that she continues to champion the transformation of her people and Uganda at large. “People of Katakwi I have one special request for you, please do not make any mistake to antagonize Alupo in the next election because we still need her to accomplish many projects she is doing in the District for the benefit of her people.”
He was speaking at Ocorimongin Market, Katakwi Sub-county in Katakwi District at a function where he was representing the Vice President at the launch of Ocorimongin Market Sheds for the vendors on Tuesday 12th December.
The construction of the Market sheds was financed by the Islamic Development Bank and the Life and Livelihood Fund (LLF) as well as the government of Uganda. It should be noted that the construction of this sheds started in February of this year and due to the support and help by the community the project was completed without registering issues.
Ocorimongin once the largest Internally Displaced People’s (IDP) Camp in Teso owing to the Insecurity perpetrated by the Uganda People’s Army (UPA) and the Karamojong Cattle Rustling, has transformed to be the leading weekly market boosting about huge revenue contributions to the government in form taxes. Ocorimingin trades majorly in Cattle, Food stuffs and other human amenities. It is a strategically located market attracting traders from the neighboring Karamoja, Bugisu, South Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia.
Hon Magezi’s message was received with a thunderous handclap from the revelers.
Meanwhile there was drama in the function when the runner up in the 2021 Ngrariam MP lections Mr Augustine Otuko, the Private Secretary to the President in charge of political Affairs in President’s Office arrived amidst excitement and huge ululation and clapping disrupting the program for some minutes. The youth were heard chanting “2026, Otuko is our man” something that made Hon Magezi uncomfortable. Otuko Just like the senior people in government that is to say Hon Magezi and the Representative of the PS Ministry of Local government was showered with gifts a sign of blessing in Teso culture.
When interviewed by this Website, Otuko stated that he was glad to be part of an historic function where a once an IDP had transformed into a trading center and the biggest weekly market in Eastern Uganda. He noted that the launch of the market sheds and the new permanent buildings in ocorimongin were a testimony that the NRM government is surely progressively pro people. He added that Since Ocorimongin was a cattle market, it is important for government to consider looking at improving the quality of Teso Zebu cows for better commercial value.
On the issue of 2026, Augustine Otuko Noted that there was no reason whatsoever why he should not come and liberate his people of Ngariam County from fraudulent leaders who are fooling the masses without a clear Development Agenda. He stated that it was time up for tricksters masquerading as leaders.