On Friday, August 4, 2023, the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party and five Oyam district councillors of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) signed a cooperation agreement in which they agreed to work with the ruling party.
The councilors were received at the NRM headquarters by the Secretary General, Richard Todwong.
They include district councillors representing Iceme sub-county female councillors, Ajok Loy Bless, Ojok Geoffrey Eyep (Aleka), and Ocen Tonny of Iceme sub-county.
Others are Doreen Alego, the district female councillor, and Denis Okullo, who is the district youth chairperson.
In his speech, Todwong said that the memorandum signed gives the NRM administration the spirit and passion to perform more work in Oyam district.
“We believe that your act of coming out openly to work with NRM is a big sign that down on the ground, the population identifies with us, and you are the reflection of this support,” Todwong said.
Todwong appreciated the group for cooperating with NRM and assured them of President Museveni’s commitment to enhancing the livelihoods of the locals in the district by creating markets for their agricultural products, enhancing the networks, and supplying safe drinking water in the remaining areas.
“It is true that the President made commitments during the recent by-election to return to Oyam, and I believe he will be there soon to discuss with you leaders how to improve household incomes,” the ideologue said.
Hajjat Medina Naham, the NRM director of Finance and Administration, said the cooperation agreement is a manifestation of the recent party mobilisation drive in Oyam district.
“You are welcome to the winning team (NRM) and feel at home,” Hajjat Medina said.
Naham implored the councillors to rally more supporters from the opposition who support them at home.
She further urged the leaders to be firm pillars of the party and serve the locals with honesty and diligence.
According to Counsel Enoch Barata, the NRM Director of Legal Services, the councillors are currently prohibited from joining NRM until they have served out their entire tenure.
On behalf of the group, Mr. Tonny Ocen said, for now, they have entered into an agreement, and later alone, when our term of office with the UPC elapses, automatically we shall be NRM members officially.”
“We choose to partner with NRM because it holds the future. We know what we are doing, and we hope to make everyone understand the good mission and vision of the ruling party,” Ocen said.
The function was witnessed by a member of the CEC and Minister of State for Defence and Veteran Affairs, Huda Oleru.
