Soroti, Uganda | Soroti City West parliamentary flag bearer and National Resistance Movement (NRM) vice chairperson for Eastern Region, David Calvin Echodu, has defended what some critics describe as his silence on key political issues, arguing that effective leadership is demonstrated through action rather than constant public commentary.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Obutei A Cell, Arapai Ward, Echodu said he had deliberately chosen to avoid what he termed unnecessary political noise, preferring to focus on practical work that delivers tangible results to communities.
“You cannot speak about development when you have not done anything,” Echodu told supporters. “I believe in working first and speaking later. That is why I do not engage in unnecessary political noise.”
He criticised leaders who, in his view, mislead the public by spreading falsehoods about government programmes instead of helping communities understand and access them.
“There is no need to vote for leaders who spend their time telling lies about government programmes,” Echodu said. “Government has many initiatives meant to help people, but poor leadership blocks communities from benefiting.”
Echodu cited the prolonged lack of electricity in Arapai as a clear example of leadership failure, blaming it on poor prioritisation by the opposition-dominated administration in Soroti City.
“The absence of power here is not accidental. It is a result of poor leadership that has failed to lobby and prioritise service delivery,” he said. “Arapai deserves better.”
He pledged to work closely with central government and relevant agencies to ensure Arapai and other underserved areas receive electricity, improved infrastructure and better social services.
His remarks came as local NRM leaders in Arapai Ward publicly endorsed his candidature, saying the community wants to align itself with government programmes to accelerate development.
Emmanuel Egadu, the NRM LC I flag bearer for Arapai, said residents had unanimously agreed to support Echodu following consultations with party structures and community leaders.
“We have agreed as Arapai people to vote for David Echodu because we want development and we want to benefit from government programmes,” Egadu said. “It makes no sense to remain in opposition when our people are suffering, yet government programmes exist to uplift communities.”
Egadu presented key community concerns to Echodu, with electricity connectivity listed as the top priority.
He said the lack of power has constrained youth livelihoods by limiting opportunities for skills development, small businesses and value addition.
He also appealed to Echodu to consider supporting bright but underprivileged students through scholarships, noting that many learners drop out of school due to lack of fees.
In response, Echodu thanked the people of Arapai for their endorsement, saying it reflected growing frustration with empty rhetoric and a strong desire for leaders who deliver visible development.
