EOC Calls for Unity After Elections to Promote National Development
By Patrick Okino
The Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) has urged people in the Lango sub-region to move past election-related differences and work together for national development.
While meeting political, religious, cultural leaders, representatives of persons with disabilities, and security officials from Lira City and Lira District on Thursday at Zegan Hotel in Lira City, the commission emphasized the need for inclusive development, noting that every citizen has a duty and responsibility to contribute.
“We have just come from a national election, so it is important that in the post-election period we work together as a nation to achieve development. We should forget what happened during the elections and focus on progress,” said Sasaga John Peter, the Education and Training Officer.
Uganda held its presidential and local government elections in January, where incumbent President Yoweri Museveni retained his seat with 71 percent of the vote.
Sasaga further encouraged citizens to promote inclusive development without leaving everything to the government. He stressed that everyone has a role to play in ensuring that development processes are inclusive.
He explained that the commission is undertaking sensitization programs to train communities on affirmative action, equal opportunities, gender equity, and how to identify factors that lead to exclusion.
He noted that some government programs unintentionally exclude certain groups due to limited understanding of equal opportunities among implementers.
“As a commission, we must ensure that duty bearers, especially community leaders, are sensitized so that people can demand equal opportunities and actively participate, access, and benefit from development programs,” he added.
He also called on citizens to hold their political leaders accountable, emphasizing that it is both their right and responsibility to ensure that every Ugandan is considered in development plans, regardless of religious or political affiliation.
The Deputy Resident City Commissioner (RCC) for Lira City East, Steven Odongo, called for transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in community initiatives.
He emphasized zero tolerance for corruption, noting that the government continues to promote patriotism to reduce the burden on enforcement agencies.
“When we talk about progress, we must also talk about equal opportunities. Recruitment should be based on merit, not favoritism or connections,” he said.
Odongo added that transparency should never be compromised and that public resources must directly benefit those who deserve them.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Lira, Beatrice Abang, raised concerns about the handling of defilement cases. She revealed that many cases reported to their offices involve both poor and wealthy families, but justice is sometimes compromised when offenders come from influential backgrounds.
She stressed that all cases must be handled equally, regardless of social or economic status.
