Related Articles
BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: MONDAY, JULY 7, 2025
It was a consistent theme in his message as Eng William Tiyo Odaa addressed a plethora of rallies in Bura ward on Sunday.
“Some politicians have their children studying in Kampala but they tell you not to mind about the education of your own children. This is absurd,” he said.
Tiyo thanked the people for participating in village savings and loan associations (VSLAs), but emphasized that if he is to support them when they vote him as their Member of Parliament, they will have to change their purpose of saving from celebrating Christmas to paying school fees.
It is a common practice that group members in VSLAs save for one year but break the savings in December in order to have what according their consideration is a lavish Christmas often defined by new clothes, meat, rice, alcohol, soda, chicken, sugar, cooking oil etc. that by the time the academic year commences in February, it finds parents languishing in abject poverty.
“Instead of spending all your money in December, break the savings on January 30th so that you can be in position to pay and I will add whatever I can to support you,” it was a message that often drew applause from the rally attendants who would shout “Tiyo Oyeee, Engineer Oyeee!” in reply.
Tiyo pointed out that 70% of the Ugandan population is composed of young people and whether the old persons like it or not in ten to fifteen years time they will relinquish the steering wheel to drive the country to the young folks.
“This is all the more a reason to open the eyes of the young people through education and prepare them for future leadership including in the families,” he said.
He maintained that for other socio-economic support programs, he will not repeat the mistake of other MPS who often erroneously assume that they know more than the people they lead and decide what projects to support them.
“One of our popular saying in Primary was that ‘I know more should be abolished.’ So, I will come back to you to ask what you want me to support you with so that you will take full ownership,” explained Eng Tiyo.
He clarified that it is necessary to listen to the concerns of the people and take cognizance of their preferences because the needs of the different categories (youths, women, the elderly, widows etc.) vary from one group to another.
He described such support to community by politicians, especially the members of parliament as the unwritten role of the MP.
Eng Tiyo assured the people of effective representation owing to his competence and clean track record from 24 years of civil service.
He told the people that he will be an active participant in legislation, budget allocations and performing the oversight role as well as lobbying the government and non-governmental entities to participate in the development of Ayivu east constituency.
He is vying for the National Resistance movement flag that is currently in the hands of the incumbent MP Geoffrey Feta. The others in the race are former Oli Division LC3 chairman Hajj Musa and former Gender, Labour and Social Development Minister, Zoe Bakoko Bakoru.
The elections are slated for July 17 and voting is by lining behind the candidate, his or her agent or the poster.
