Otuke East County Member of Parliament Julius Acon Bua and Otuke District LCV chairperson Francis Abola have publicly demonstrated a renewed working relationship after years of political rivalry, calling on leaders to put aside their differences and unite for the development of the district. The two leaders were together on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Townside Guest House in Otuke Town Council, where Acon addressed LCIII chairpersons, district councillors and NRM party sub-county chairpersons from 14 sub-counties and town councils.
Acon said he and Abola are now working together despite their previous political differences, explaining that the meeting was intended to bring leaders together irrespective of their political parties. He said government projects are coming to the district through the lobbying efforts of the three MPs, but cautioned councillors and district officials against corruption, diversion, and failure to ensure that projects reach intended beneficiaries.
Acon called for an end to divisionism in Otuke, saying leaders should focus on service delivery and development. He pledged to continue working for residents of both Otuke County and Otuke East County, noting that he was drilling a borehole in Alango Sub-county in Otuke County with the knowledge of the area MP, Omara Paul, which he said was done in good faith and in the spirit of cooperation.
The public appearance of Acon and Abola together was seen as a significant step towards reconciliation in Otuke politics, given their previous rivalry. Abola said the responsibility for developing the district lies with elected leaders and urged councillors to maintain a strong presence in their respective communities. He also said the district had intensified efforts against alcoholism, citing the arrest of 12 people who are currently in police custody.
Abola said alcoholism remained a threat to communities and recalled an incident in Alango Sub-county in which three people were reportedly killed. He vowed to continue efforts to curb drunkenness and urged councillors to sensitise residents living in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer, upland areas to avoid losing lives and property during unexpected disasters.
Gasper Okello, the district LCV vice-chairperson, said political fights are among the factors sabotaging development in Otuke. He commended Acon and Abola for choosing to work together and urged MPs Acon and Omara Paul to engage Susan Jolly Abeja and resolve their differences. Okello said dialogue is free and should be embraced by all leaders for the benefit of the district.
Richard Odwe, the LCIII chairperson of Olilim Town Council, complained that some motorcycles inherited from previous leaders had been damaged and can not be used by them at the moment. He also said LCIII chairpersons across the 14 sub-counties and town councils had not received salaries since assuming office in June, while some sub-counties lacked administrative blocks, affecting service delivery and the ability of leaders to perform their duties.
Bosco Okullo, the LCIII chairperson of Orum Sub-county and Acon’s political assistant, said the meeting was intended to unite leaders around a common cause for the development of Otuke. He urged anyone with grievances against Acon or Abola to come forward and resolve them through dialogue, saying leaders should concentrate on correcting problems and moving the district forward rather than allowing political differences to derail development.