There was excitement in Opit Town Council in Lakwana Sub County Omoro district on Saturday when residents were treated to a live debate involving contestants for the Omoro district LC5 Chairman seat.
The debate was organized by Human Rights Activists and Monitoring Organization (HURAMO)-Uganda, a Gulu based local rights group.
The debate attracted all the five candidates who are vying for the district’s top political job.
They included Douglas Peter Okello (Independent), Godfrey Oryem (Independent), Stephen Odong Latek (NRM), Robert Mugabe (PPP) and Simon Toolit Akecha (FDC).
The debate was broadcast ‘‘live’’ on Radio Rupiny, a Gulu based radio owned by the Vision Group of companies which also owns the New Vision and a host of other media electronic, print and online outlets.
The contestants were asked questions on a range of subjects including on their agenda, their knowledge of government policy and how they intend to improve health care, education, good governance and accountability.
Patrick Lakwonyero Sila, a local resident who attended the debate said it had helped him make a choice on who to vote.
Sila told Acholi Times that it had become a common practice for the candidates to lie whenever they are on their own while campaigning in the communities.
Sila said bringing the candidates together was good for weeding out lies the politicians say about each other.
A Councilor for Gem parish in the Lalogi Sub Council, Robert Alobo, said when canvasing for votes in the village the politicians use divisive. At the debate, the contestants did not use divisive and abusive language that they are said to use when canvassing for votes in the villages.
Anna Ayoo, 65, a resident of Lamin Okure in Lalogi Sub County told Acholi Times that the candidates had failed to address the problem the elderly face.
Ayoo says older persons are being sent to grave early because their ill-health is treated as part of aging which no one cares about.
Rev William Onyango, a former Gulu University lecturer who also attended the debate lauded the politicians for their show of maturity and urged them to respect one another.
Rev Onyago also urged them to prepare early enough in case they lose the election because only one of them will win.
The Executive Director HURAMO- Uganda, Geoffrey Odong Ojibu, said that the intention of the joint debate was to discourage leaders from making wild pledges which they cannot to fulfill once elected.
Omoro will elect the District Woman MP representative and the District LCV Chairperson on August 29, 2016.
