Jane Acilo promises to end UPC’s 15-year dominance in Oyam district

The UPC party enjoys political dominance in Oyam district, controlling the MP seats of Oyam North, Oyam South, and District Woman Member of Parliament.

Oyam district, with a population of over 500,000 people according to the most recent government census by UBOS, is one of the poorest districts in the Lango sub-region.

UBOS further indicates that poverty prevalence in the Lango sub-region, which includes Oyam district, remains a significant concern with 62.1% of the population experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity.

Some locals have since expressed their deep concern about the poverty levels, and lack of access to markets for the “little their produce”. Political leaders, especially those at the top have been blamed for doing little.

Molly Oyuku, a resident of Akaidebe village, Western Ward B, Oyam town council desires change. According to her, the current political leadership of Oyam has “done nothing”.

In an interview, she expressed displeasure at the current road status in the town council, saying, “We’ll vote them out of office.”

According to a new political entrant Jane Frances Acilo, an opposition dominated district makes it hard for service delivery and development to reach the grassroots.

Acilo, aspiring to represent the women of Oyam district in the 12th Parliament, has publicly, and repeatedly said, she’s the only one capable of ending the UPC 15-year dominance in the district woman MP office.

Campaigning on #NyayoLonyoIcingOtedero, loosely translated as “improving household incomes for the wananchi,” Acilo said commercial farming, improved education system, women and youth empowerment are some of the initiatives going to generate success.

“I have just sampled what I want to do for my people of Oyam district with the maize seed distribution. This is to show you the kind of a leader we need,” Acilo said at different joint campaign venues ahead of primary elections on July 17.

“Some are saying NRM is no more in Oyam district. I have woken it (the party) up by donating 100 yellow chairs per sub-county, in addition to opening my office in all the sub-counties.

“For 15 years, the NRM was not able to send a woman MP to Parliament. We have been having flag bearers who cannot compete and win. Now, we have a strong woman, and that’s Jane Frances Acilo.”

Since July 4 when the NRM joint campaigns for Oyam district started, Acilo has received more support and reception than her four other candidates in the race for party flag.

From Myene to Minakulu, Iceme to Abok, Aleka to Otwal; Aber to Loro, Acilo has not only been gifted with goats, a dove and samples of JaneZee maize corn during campaigns, but with huge followings as well.

Each and every time she is invited to pitch her agenda, excitement and chants from her supporters take charge. Many have often been heard saying, “You have got the flag already and the 12th Parliament is an assurance.”

With her mission to end the UPC dominance well ingrained in her mind, tndNews spoke to popular UPC member and former Oyam South MP, Isaah Otto Amiza, to discuss the Acilo’s mobilisation and political approaches, and the possibility of “the NRM takeover.”

“I don’t fault her,” Otto said of the approach. “I think what she’s doing is to popularise herself, being a new entrant in politics.”

“What she’s doing is not strange,” Otto added. He said the MPs have currently left their mandatory roles of legislation, appropriation and oversight. “A Member of Parliament has a very national interest with the representation duty.”

On turning Oyam district yellow, Otto observed: “In my view, there’s no party now. Look at the DP structure, the President is now working with the NRM.”

Like the DP, the UPC party has long collaborated with the ruling government.  “The party is based on ideology, and distinct policies; a party is not an individual,” the former MP said.

He (Otto) neither accepted the NRM’s takeover of the Oyam district nor stated that changing the status quo would be difficult.

Nelson Adea Akar, the Oyam district UPC chairman, stated that they are prepared to maintain and reclaim their dominance. “Right from the district to Parliament and even sub-counties which we had lost, we are ready to take over.”

“We are going to contest and compete with them and definitely we are sure we will defeat them. Let them (NRM) field their candidates, we are also selecting our candidates in the primary elections. So, let them be ready to contest with the giant party in the Lango sub-region.”