Serere, Uganda — The State Minister for Fisheries and incumbent Serere District Woman Member of Parliament, Hon. Hellen Adoa, has called on newly elected Woman MP Esther Lucy Acom to prioritize peace, unity, and reconciliation following the district’s closely contested parliamentary election.
In a statement released on Wednesday morning, Adoa urged Acom and her political team to focus on healing divisions within the district rather than fueling post-election tensions.
“You should now be trying to bring those who were not on your side to make Serere one, instead of inciting violence from day one,” Adoa said.
The minister emphasized that leadership carries a responsibility to serve all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, noting that while elections produce winners and losers, governance must be inclusive.
Drawing on her own experience, Adoa recalled the aftermath of the 2016 elections, when Serere District was largely aligned with the opposition Forum for Democratic Change (FDC).
“When I went through the 2016 elections, the team I met were FDC leaders. I reached out to them and asked them to be my supporters, assuring them that I was going to be a mother to all, and indeed, that is what has been,” she said.
According to Adoa, this inclusive approach helped stabilize the district and enabled her to work across political divides. She encouraged the MP-elect to adopt a similar leadership style to foster harmony and development.
Adoa also cautioned against inflammatory language and actions, warning that political hostility can have lasting consequences for communities.
“The hatred you are planting now will go to generations,” she said, adding that leadership rooted in bitterness undermines both community cohesion and personal legacy.
The minister further accused unnamed individuals within Acom’s camp of spreading falsehoods and engaging in blackmail against political opponents, describing such behavior as counterproductive.
“Lying to the public and blackmailing my brother will not give you peace in the next three years,” Adoa said, referring to ongoing disputes following the election outcome.
She challenged the MP-elect to demonstrate leadership through service delivery rather than rhetoric, urging a focus on tangible outcomes for the people of Serere.
“Prove to Serere that you are worthy of the chair you have grabbed, instead of waking up every morning to blackmail those who didn’t win,” Adoa added.
The remarks come amid reports of rising political tension in parts of Serere District following the announcement of parliamentary election results. Police authorities in the district have repeatedly appealed for calm, reconciliation, and respect for democratic processes.
Political analyst Joseph Odeke noted that the post-election period is a critical test for newly elected leaders, observing that their actions can either consolidate peace or deepen divisions within communities.
