Morish Ogwal Omara officially took office as the new district chairperson of Amolatar on May 21.
He pledged to fight corruption without mercy and to transform the district into a model of development and transparency.
The swearing-in, takeover, and handover ceremony for councillors took place at the Amolatar district headquarters, drawing a full house of officials, stakeholders, and residents eager for a new chapter of accountable leadership.
In his first address, Ogwal made an uncompromising pledge against graft, vowing that recruitment under the district service commission would be transparent and free from selling jobs to unqualified individuals.
“Which we will all stand firm for is to ensure that we fight corruption at all cost,” Ogwal declared. “There will be transparency in the district service commission recruitment without selling jobs to the incompetent.”
Ogwal extended an olive branch to those who did not vote for him, urging all councillors and stakeholders to support his leadership in delivering for the people and achieving his vision for the district.
“I ask those who didn’t vote for me to support me to deliver for them,” he said, calling for teamwork to move Amolatar district to greater heights of development.
He expressed confidence in the newly elected councilors, noting that in his assessment, Amolatar now has “good teams of councillors” capable of driving progress.
The new district chairperson outlined a clear development roadmap starting with improved transport connectivity as a priority. He also emphasized commercial agriculture and value addition, drawing from directives of the head of state.
“I want to see us in commercial agriculture and value addition,” Ogwal said. “We have attended several tours from the head of state, and his cry is calling all leaders from local government, central government, and people of goodwill to ensure we talk to our population and empower them.”
On education, he promised improved and scalable services and standards, adding: “Very soon we shall engage you and fast-track our challenges sector by sector.”
He acknowledged that the district currently lacks an assessed position on certain metrics but vowed to address challenges systematically.
Ogwal painted a hopeful picture of the district’s future, saying: “Ladies and gentlemen, I envision an Amolatar where farmers prosper through agriculture, communities and markets connect effectively.
“Despite the challenges, I will connect to our members of parliament and people of goodwill to ensure that Amolatar gets the resources that can keep us moving forward.”
He added that schools must provide quality education and become centers of reliable services, and that investors must recognise the potential of the district.
In the race for district speakership, Oyuku Geoffrey of Namasale town council emerged victorious with 23 votes, defeating Patrick Eumu Kawuma (1 vote), Okao Kizito (10 votes), Name Eve (2 votes ) and Ayuli Jimmy Okori (2 votes).
For deputy speaker, Appallo Naume won with 21 votes against Oyuku Keneth, who received 16 votes.
The newly enthroned district speaker called for unity and cooperation, cautioning residents against using elections as “stools of division” in the district.
His message was direct: “Unity over division. Integrity over corruption.”
Oyuku also appealed to the media in Amolatar to foster unity rather than divisionism, urging journalists to promote council business activities and advertise council operations to the public.
Ogwal closed his address by thanking voters for their wisdom in selecting councillors and all stakeholders for supporting the district.
“Every day is about serving our people,” he said. “Let us put the people of this district in our hearts first, and move forward together in serving them. I take my leave, but we will all stand firm to fight corruption.”
By Ronald Alele
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