By Nathan Eyagu

Soroti City — Leaders and residents of Arapai Ward under the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) have openly endorsed businessman and politician David Calvin Echodu, citing the community’s desire to benefit from government development programs and improved service delivery ahead of next week’s general elections.

The endorsement was announced during Echodu’s rally held at Arapai Primary School, which drew large crowds from different villages, age groups and political backgrounds. Supporters waved NRM colors, sang campaign songs and repeatedly pledged their support, signaling growing momentum for Echodu’s candidacy.

Speaking at the rally, Emmanuel Egadu, the NRM LC I flag bearer for Obutei A Cell, said Arapai leaders and residents had unanimously agreed to rally behind Echodu after wide consultations within party structures and the community.

“We have agreed as Arapai people to vote for David Echodu because we want development and we want to benefit from government programs,” Egadu said. “It makes no sense to remain in opposition when our people are suffering, yet government programs are available to uplift communities.”

Egadu said the community believes Echodu is best positioned to link Arapai to central government opportunities and improve service delivery. He used the platform to present key community demands, with electricity connectivity topping the list.

According to Egadu, the lack of power in Arapai Ward has severely affected youth livelihoods, limiting opportunities for skills development, small businesses and value addition.

“Our youth are idle because there is no power. Once elected, we appeal to you to fast-track electricity connection so that young people can engage in meaningful work,” he said, drawing applause from residents.

He also challenged Echodu to consider scholarships for academically gifted but less privileged students, noting that many bright learners drop out due to lack of school fees.

“Education is the most sustainable path out of poverty. We want our children to compete nationally,” Egadu added.

NRM mobilizer Teddy Acham warned politicians against abandoning voters after elections, a practice she said has frustrated communities across Soroti City.

“We are tired of leaders who only remember voters during campaigns,” Acham said. “Leadership is about service, not promises. Whoever is elected must come back and support the people.”

Residents also raised concerns over persistent water shortages, saying access to clean and safe water remains a major burden, especially for women and children who walk long distances to unsafe sources. They urged Echodu to prioritize lobbying for new boreholes, piped water extensions and maintenance of existing water points.

Issues of economic empowerment featured prominently, with youth and women leaders calling for skills training, support to savings groups, access to affordable credit and programs to help farmers add value to their produce.

Responding to the concerns, Echodu thanked the people of Arapai for what he described as a strong vote of confidence, saying their support reflected fatigue with empty rhetoric and a desire for tangible development.

“You cannot speak about development when you have not done anything,” Echodu said. “I believe in working first and speaking later. That is why I don’t engage in unnecessary political noise.”

He criticized leaders who, according to him, mislead the public by spreading falsehoods about government programs instead of helping communities benefit from them.

“There is no need to vote for leaders who spend their time telling lies against government initiatives,” Echodu said. “Government has many programs meant to help people, but poor leadership blocks communities from accessing them.”

Echodu attributed the prolonged lack of electricity in Arapai to poor leadership, which he blamed on the opposition-dominated administration in Soroti City.

“The absence of power here is not accidental. It is a result of leadership that has failed to lobby and prioritize service delivery,” he said. “Arapai deserves better.”

He pledged to work closely with central government and relevant agencies to deliver electricity, improve water access, strengthen infrastructure and expand social services in Arapai and other underserved areas.

The rally also featured cross-party support, highlighted by the presence of Winifred Adio, a senior Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) stalwart campaigning alongside Echodu while mobilizing support for President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. Adio praised residents for prioritizing unity and development over party lines, urging voters to back leaders who can work effectively with the government of the day.

As Uganda heads to the polls on Thursday, January 15, 2026, to elect the President and Members of Parliament, the Arapai rally underscored the high stakes of the election. For many residents, the vote represents more than politics — it is a choice driven by the hope for reliable power, clean water, jobs and a better future.