The Former Serere County Aspirant Engineer Martin Ongurucho has officially declared his interests to run for the upcoming Serere County by-elections.
While addressing the Press at his residence in Soroti City on January 4, 2023, Mr. Ongurucho said that whereas he didn’t have interests to run for the race following the sudden death of MP Patrick Okabe on December 19, 2022, his supporters have approached him to run for the race.
“It’s a painful experience to run for the race where the former leader was loved by the voters because of his deeds but I am coming to stand because my people are asking for my services and I believe I will do as the late used to work,” He said.
Okabe, who also doubled as an overseer of Impact Ministries in Serere, died with his wife Christine Okabe when a truck rammed into their vehicle on the way to Kampala on December 19, 2022. They were buried on December 24 at their home in Oburin Cell, Ochapa Town Council in Serere District.
Ongurucho has however urged voters in Serere to cast votes based on purpose and not because they have been given money.
He requested the voters to vote for a candidate that will deliver services and not be driven off point by bribes from contenders.
He also called for a successful, fair and peaceful election
“Let us conduct a peaceful election and choose a leader who will lobby and represent us in parliament. Let’s stand with a candidate you are assured of delivering services near to you.”
Meanwhile tension is rising amongst the political divide in Serere district on who should be elected between Emmanuel Omoding Okabe the Son to the former Serere county legislator late Patrick Okabe and Philip Oucur the NRM flag bearer.
Over 250 NRM Party structure leaders in Serere County have petitioned the office of the Secretary General asking him to declare Emmanuel Omoding as flag bearer and candidate for the polls while NRM members subscribed to Oucor are planning to stage demonstrations against the decision of the structures.