By Jumah Kakomo
Uganda People’s Congress UPC has nominated Dr. Apio Eunice for Oyam County North by-election following the release of the road map by Electoral Commission
Dr. Apio Eunice was confirmed as the UPC flag bearer after the stepping down of Hon. Krispus Ayena Odongo for his comrade (Eunice).
Arach Oyat Sharon the party spokesperson applauded Hon. Ayena for exhibiting the spirit of togetherness and putting the interests of the Party first before self and also the Lango sub regional leadership, Party leaders in Oyam District and members of Oyam North for embracing unity purposely to go into the by-election as one solid congress force.
“As we wait for nominations by Electoral Commission on 19th and 20 th June 2023, UPC strongly encourages Party members and all electorates in Oyam North to ensure that they participate in all electoral activities ahead of the by-election on 6 th July 2023 including the checking of their particulars and/or confirm that they are in the updated Voters’ Register that will be displayed from 30th May – 8th June 2023 at the respective polling stations as per the roadmap.
We trust that Dr. Apio Eunice from the Congress family, will diligently serve the people of Oyam as she is tested from her community service in the same area, and electing her as a Member of Parliament would provide better service delivery in Oyam County North.” Said Sharon
Oyam County North seat fall vacant following the death of area legislator also Labour Minister Charles Engola Okello who was shot dead by his bodyguard in Kyanja, Kampala.
On the issue of expired courses at key higher learning institution, UPC has urged National Council for Higher Education NCHE and all institutions of higher learning to sort out this issue urgently and have an updated data and focused on duty to avoid such glaring lapses in future.
“A clear explanation should be given to the public as both the parent and student are starting to have doubt if, they are the next victim.” Said Sharon
In the same way, UPC has joined the rest of the world to congratulate African Union (AU) formerly Organization of African Union (OAU) for making 60 years This Thursday, May 25, 2023.
UPC, however questioned whether the AU is still on course of the Founding Fathers its birth is being celebrated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
“Our Founding Fathers gave birth to OAU on 25th May 1963 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Later, OAU however, Africa has remained with big problems and challenges whose solutions are not yet in sight, yet Africa now is talking about “Africa problems, Africa solutions; which resonates with AU theme for the year, 2023, “Acceleration of AFCTA Implementation”.
On the political front, unity is still lacking, civil wars are going in some countries like Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Chad, Burkina Faso, Mali, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Libya and Central Africa Republic which certainly lead to displacement of people, damage to property and loss of lives as well becoming a source of weakness for proliferation of weapons and external interests which undermine Africa’s independence and sovereignty as well as the true spirit of Africa Free Continental Trade Area (AFCTA) implementation, since trade and development need a peace and prosperous environment to achieve the desired goals and objectives.
On the economic scene, Africa has remained hugely a net exporter of primary raw materials, like minerals, timber cash crops such as cotton, coffee, tea, tobacco and while at the same time a net importer of manufactured goods and all simple consumables. This inherently creates a trade deficit and Africa is ever in debt and her economy is in a real crisis. Heavily indebted member countries can hardly take advantage of AFCTA as our hands are tied primarily to debt servicing and repayments by both present and future generation.
Socially, the families are in retreat due to massive unemployment, and the desperation is leading to “boat” people who are taking risks to cross from Africa into Europe via Mediterranean Sea. The consequences are fatal. UPC has observed that a mindset is being created that greener pastures are existing outside Africa. We hope that the AFCTA protocol on women, youth and SMEs will effectively implemented and address these challenges.
A new wave of challenges of global nature like climate change is threatening not only Africa, but the whole world. However, Africa seems to be more threatened. The heavy rains coupled with floods do damage people’s farms, infrastructure, houses, roads and commercial buildings which are difficult to restore and coupled with prolonged drought and famine in some cases leading to food insecurity.” Said Sharon
