By Nathan Eyagu 

Soroti City — National Resistance Movement (NRM) parliamentary candidate for Soroti City West, Mr David Calvin Echodu, has called on residents to take personal responsibility for the future of their city by turning out in large numbers to vote in the forthcoming elections.

Addressing a charged rally at Immaculate Girls’ Grounds in Soroti City, Echodu said the ballot remains the most powerful tool through which citizens can determine the direction of leadership, development and service delivery in the city.

“This time, nobody should blame God or circumstances. If we fail again, the responsibility will be on us,” Echodu told supporters. “Through the ballot, we are deciding whether our children will have jobs, whether our city will grow, and whether our families will live better lives.”

Echodu urged voters to move beyond apathy and actively participate in the electoral process, warning that failure to vote would amount to surrendering Soroti’s future for another five years.

He criticised what he described as prolonged stagnation in the city, citing an idle industrial park, lack of industries and rising youth unemployment. According to Echodu, these challenges are a result of poor political choices made over time.

“For years, Soroti has remained the same while other cities move forward. Elections are the moment to correct that,” he said.

The NRM candidate also called for collective mobilisation at community level, urging residents to help the elderly and those with disabilities to reach polling stations to ensure maximum voter turnout.

“We want every vote to count — for President Museveni, for our party flag bearers, and for leaders who are ready to work,” Echodu said.

He reiterated his loyalty to President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, stating that the President’s victory is central to national stability and local development, and pledged to work closely with the central government if elected.

Echodu promised that his leadership would prioritise transforming Soroti into a clean, organised and economically vibrant city through investment, job creation and improved service delivery.

“After these elections, do not expect change be ready to see change,” he said, drawing cheers from supporters.

The rally attracted large crowds, reflecting growing momentum for the NRM campaign in Soroti City West ahead of polling day.