By Alfred Opio
PALLISA — The newly sworn-in LC5 Chairperson of Pallisa District, Ben Okiria, has vowed to fight tribalism and unite communities across the district as part of efforts to promote development and reduce poverty.
Speaking during his swearing-in ceremony and official handover of office instruments, Okiria said long-standing tribal divisions between the district’s two major tribes — the Iteso and the Bagwere — have negatively affected peaceful coexistence, service delivery, and development.
Okiria emphasized that his administration will focus on promoting unity among all people regardless of tribe, religion, or political affiliation.
“We have two prominent tribes, the Iteso and the Bagwere. We’ve been having fights that are not called for. This is a time we should embrace each other. This is a time we should hold each other’s hands and work together,” Okiria said.
He warned leaders against promoting tribal sentiments for political gain, saying such actions have slowed the district’s progress for many years.
“Each one of us has blood that is red, not yellow. And these five years, if you’re here and your intention is to promote tribalism, then you are misplaced,” he cautioned.
According to Okiria, only a small group of influential individuals, particularly some political leaders, continue to fuel divisions among communities for selfish interests.
“There could be some developmental issues that we want to implement, but because of tribalism, such programs fail. Actually, it’s just a handful of people promoting this, and most of them are well-positioned political leaders,” he noted.
The LC5 chairperson pledged to place unity, peaceful coexistence, and collective development at the center of his administration during the next five years.
“And me being the father of the district in these five years, I will champion that, and that will be at the forefront,” he said.
Okiria also expressed concern over findings from the 2024 national census report, which he said revealed that Pallisa District is still lagging behind in development and household welfare.
According to him, the census report highlighted high poverty levels, poor living conditions, and continued tribal tensions that are affecting service delivery and economic transformation in the district.
“When you look at the analysis of the 2024 census, it indicates that Pallisa is still lagging behind. It indicates that poverty levels are still very high and living conditions are unfavorable for the average people,” he said.
He added that tribal conflicts have weakened the spirit of cooperation and unity needed for sustainable social and economic development.
“The negative impact of tribal sentiments cuts across the provision of services, hindering the spirit of peace, unity, and prosperity, which are actually the core of the NRM party development agenda,” Okiria explained.
The district chairperson called upon leaders, councilors, technical staff, and residents to work together in fighting poverty and ensuring that Pallisa benefits fully from government development programs.
“Poverty is one of the issues that we should look at seriously. We should strive to see to it that as we work towards the party development agenda, Pallisa should not be left behind,” he said.
Okiria also pledged to ensure proper implementation of government programs aimed at improving household incomes, education, health services, and infrastructure development throughout the district.
Residents and local leaders who attended the ceremony welcomed his message of unity, saying tribalism has for years divided communities and slowed development in several parts of Pallisa.
The swearing-in ceremony officially marked the beginning of a new administration expected to guide Pallisa District through the next five years with a renewed focus on peace, unity, and socio-economic transformation.
