Kitgum | In a passionate and visionary address to the people of Chua West Constituency, parliamentary aspirant Lapwony Aisa Ann Nagudi Okot officially unveiled what she calls “a bold and far-reaching development blueprint.”
The blueprint sets the tone for a campaign built not merely on politics, but on purpose.
Framing her campaign as a “Movement for Transformation,” Okot called on residents of Chua West to rise from passive observation to active participation in the shaping of their economic future.
“The time to take charge of our economic destiny is now,” Okot told an enthusiastic crowd in Kitgum. “The future of Chua West is in our hands. Our own betterment is in our hands.”
With a rich background as a teacher, banker, and tourism conservationist, Okot described her diverse experience as a critical advantage in steering the constituency toward inclusive development, sustainable economic growth, and transparent leadership.
Tackling the leadership deficit: A new era of accountability
Speaking at a community engagement event, Okot expressed deep concern over the persistent lack of accountability and citizen participation in governance under the current leadership. “People must know where every coin goes,” she emphasized. “Our current system hides too much from the people who are meant to benefit. This must change.”
If elected as Member of Parliament for Chua West, Okot pledged to introduce participatory budgeting and community-based decision-making, ensuring that constituents are fully involved in the planning and allocation of public resources.
In addition, she vowed to publish annual performance and financial accountability reports, making her parliamentary office fully transparent and directly answerable to the people. “I will run an open office that listens to the people, works with the people, and is answerable to the people,” she said.
A manifesto anchored on five pillars of transformation
Okot’s campaign manifesto outlines five key pillars designed to uplift Chua West from poverty to prosperity.
Economic empowerment and wealth creation: From subsistence to surplus citing that over 70% of households depend on subsistence agriculture, Okot pledged to revolutionize the local economy through agro-industrialization, including:
One village, one crop model: Each sub-county will focus on a high-value cash crop, like sorghum, cassava, spices, or horticultural produce linked to ready markets.
Auxiliary Income Projects: Farmers will be supported to diversify into profitable crops like aloe vera and shea nuts, with local processing to retain value in the community.
Financial literacy and seed banks: 10,000 farmers will be trained in money management, and seed banks will be established in all eight sub-counties.
Mechanized farming: Full implementation of the Parish Development Model (PDM) and introduction of modern equipment to boost productivity by 40% within three years.
Tourism and environmental conservation: Turning nature into income recognizing the underutilized potential in eco-tourism, Okot proposed a community-centered conservation model, including:
A “Tree for Every Tourist” campaign to promote reforestation and awareness, eco-tourism projects run by local communities to ensure inclusive benefits, stronger enforcement of environmental protection laws, integration of eco-education into school curricula
“Tourism should not just be about pictures, it must become a tool for conservation and income generation,” she said.
Education and youth empowerment: “Our youth are not the future; they are the now,” she said, noting that less than 20% of children in Chua West go beyond primary school. Okot laid out a plan to rebuild the education system and create opportunities for youth, including:
Infrastructure overhaul: Upgrade schools and equip every secondary school with computers by year 5. Vocational training: train 5,000 youth in practical skills and create 2,000 new jobs through enterprise programs.
Scholarships and mentorship: Provide support for 1,000 students annually and mentor 2,000 youths.
Infrastructure and service delivery: “No More Broken Roads or Neglected Health Centers.” To improve access to markets and basic services, Okot is committed to upgrading 80% of major roads to all-weather status within five years, conduct monthly medical camps in every sub-county, increase health coverage to 80% of residents, ensure 90% household access to clean water and sanitation
Governance and transparency: Power to the people. Central to Okot’s agenda is the promotion of open, accountable governance.
She pledged quarterly financial reports and will publicly disclose progress and spending on all constituency projects.
Community feedback structures: Establish citizen forums in all eight sub-counties with 100% participation target. She aims to ensure that all projects are community-driven and locally owned. “No more corruption. No more exclusion. Every voice in Chua West must count,” Okot affirmed.
The Okot Foundation: A local engine for development. Okot also announced plans to establish the Okot Foundation, a community-based fund focused on health, education, and Income-generating projects
The foundation aims to mobilize UGX 5 billion within five years to support homegrown development initiatives.
A call to action
Closing her address with emotion and resolve, Okot extended a heartfelt appeal, not just for electoral support, but for collective ownership of the transformation agenda.
“I am not just asking for your vote; I am asking for your partnership. Let us rise, let us work, and let us build a Chua West we can all be proud of. The future starts today.”
With a manifesto aligned with Uganda’s Vision 2040, National Development Plan III (NDP III), and NDP IV, Aisa Ann Nagudi Okot said she is not just campaigning for a seat in Parliament, but positioning herself as a catalyst for generational change in Chua West.
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