Brig. Charles Otema-Awany, the UPDF Chief of Logistics and Engineering has asked the Acholi people to vote wisely in the 2016 general elections.
Brig. Otema- Awany who oversaw the Operation Iron Fist against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) during the first military offensive against the rebels says the resettling communities should use their rights to chose development oriented leaders after the end of the insurgency.
Otema-Awany says in exercising their rights, Acholi can make a better life for themselves by identifying and voting the right people in offices.
“A bad leader will not deliver and those who voted them into office have made the wrong choice,” He explained.
The UPDF Chief of Logistics noted that as the communities rebuild their shattered lives following the mass displacement, those who are trusted with power should be individuals with mindset of transforming the society.
He noted that current level of poverty in the Acholi sub region is visible and needs hard working leaders who can offer guidance for the former displaced persons.
He also asked households to invest in education so as to tackle illiteracy and household income.
The former 4th Division Commander says his major aim to dislodge the ICC indicted LRA leader Joseph Kony and his brutal fighter from northern Uganda was to allow peace and stability for those suffered the brand of his violence campaigns.
Fr. Remijo Obol, the Parish Priest of Awach Catholic Mission in Awach Sub County in Gulu district has also tasked the electorates not to vote politicians who are abusive in nature.
Fr. Obol said, “Such politicians are not development oriented since they waste valuable time abusing instead of offering leadership for their communities.”
He warned that if such leaders are voted in the 2016 elections, people will continue to suffer since they will invest their energy in attacking personality instead of advocating for development.
The Priest adds that with such mentality, people will continue to languish in poverty.
Religious and cultural leaders have also warned politicians against instigating violence.
With elections just months away, politicians have turned heat on each other instead of politicizing their manifestos.
