By Nathan Eyagu

SOROTI - National Resistance Movement (NRM) aspirants in Soroti City East have pledged to champion inclusive development and stronger collaboration with grassroots leaders as part of efforts to secure victory in the 2026 general elections.

The pledge was made during a consultative meeting held at Zion Events Gardens in Soroti City, which brought together LC1 and LC2 chairpersons from various wards and political backgrounds. The session was organized by key NRM aspirants including Isaac Orego (NRM flag bearer for Soroti City East MP seat), Esudu Francis (NRM flag bearer for Soroti City Mayor), Abdul Latif (NRM Division East Mayoral flag bearer), and Amongin Hellen (Woman City Councilor for Soroti City A).

Addressing participants, MP aspirant Isaac Orego commended LC leaders for their unwavering service to the community and vowed to prioritize their welfare once elected.

“You are the foundation of our governance structure. I have heard your call for a bus, and I pledge to buy it once elected,” Orego stated.

He emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between local leaders and communities, noting that true development must be people-centered.

“LCs know what happens on the ground. They deal with people’s challenges daily. We must involve them in planning and decision-making to deliver meaningful development,” he added.

Orego also promised to advocate for increased LC salaries and push for financial support towards the Soroti City LCs SACCO, aimed at boosting economic empowerment for local leaders. He urged unity among leaders, emphasizing service delivery over partisan politics.

City mayoral aspirant Esudu Francis hailed LC leaders for forming and registering SACCOs, describing the meeting as a platform to strengthen working relations and understand grassroots challenges.

“LCs are the first pioneers of development. Ignoring them only slows progress,” he said.

Esudu highlighted the importance of tackling issues such as youth unemployment, crime, and the rise of gangs like Owok Wok, through joint community efforts and regular engagement.

On his part, Abdul Latif, NRM Division East mayoral aspirant, proposed that such LC consultative meetings be institutionalized and held annually every 18th October. He raised concern over low city revenue collection, attributing it to corruption and poor coordination between city authorities and LC leaders.

“If we partner effectively with LCs, we can raise Soroti’s annual revenue from UGX 6 billion to UGX 10 billion,” Latif noted.

He also underscored the need for citizen involvement in property tax collection and long-term city development planning through a three-year development plan.

Meanwhile, Amongin Hellen, Woman City Councilor for Soroti City A, thanked LC leaders for their resilience despite low pay and limited facilitation. She called on residents to participate fully in all levels of elections, not just the presidential one.

“Many people vote for the president and ignore local leaders, yet it’s the local leaders who work with them daily,” she said.

Amongin pledged to continue advocating for increased LC salaries and encouraged her fellow aspirants to support LC structures if elected.

Opio John Emmanuel, the Soroti City LC chairperson and independent mayoral aspirant, commended the dedication of LC leaders and emphasized the importance of neutrality, accountability, and transparency in leadership. He also reiterated the LC leaders’ request to meet President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni to present their challenges directly.

The LC leaders used the meeting to highlight pressing concerns such as poor road infrastructure, limited access to power and water, and the lack of city equipment for maintenance and development.

In response, Soroti City Resident City Commissioner (RCC) John Michael Okurut, who attended the meeting, praised the LC leaders for their service and revealed that he had already written to the President’s Office seeking a meeting between the LC leaders and the Head of State.

“I am waiting for confirmation from the President’s Office. The meeting is expected to take place after the November 3rd presidential campaign rally in Teso,” Okurut disclosed.

He further assured the leaders of improved coordination between local authorities and security agencies to combat rising criminal activity. He announced the deployment of 50 UPDF soldiers to help eliminate the Owok Wok gang terrorizing parts of Soroti City.

The meeting concluded with a joint commitment by all leaders to strengthen collaboration with LC structures, enhance transparency, and prioritize service delivery in key sectors such as education, health, water, and infrastructure.

Participants unanimously agreed that continuous cooperation between city leadership and grassroots structures will play a vital role in transforming Soroti City into a model urban center comparable to Mbale and Gulu.