Soroti, Uganda | NRM parliamentary candidate for Soroti City West Division, David Calvin Echodu, has intensified his campaign with a strong emphasis on unity, presenting himself as the leader capable of repairing political divisions and restoring trust between the community and government.
During his rally in Amen Ward on Thursday, Echodu said the division had suffered prolonged political fragmentation that had hindered development.
He positioned his candidacy as a chance to realign local leadership with national priorities and mobilise resources more effectively.
He also dismissed allegations of land grabbing, describing them as baseless fabrications by rivals who lacked a clear development agenda.
Echodu argued that such accusations only reflected the Opposition’s failure to focus on service delivery, insisting that development, rather than political hostility, should guide voters’ decisions.
The Amen rally attracted residents from the ward and neighbouring areas, signalling growing enthusiasm as NRM intensifies its activities.
It was Echodu’s third major event since the campaign season began, adding momentum in a race widely seen as one of the most competitive in Teso.
Soroti City NRM Chairperson and head of the campaign taskforce, John Enomu, attributed the division’s slow development to strained relations between local leaders and government agencies.
He said the constituency needed a leader capable of rebuilding these connections and noted that Echodu’s longstanding engagement with youth groups, families and vulnerable households demonstrated his readiness to lead a more collaborative approach.
Retired Lt. Gen. Peter Elwelu reinforced the unity message, stressing that the forthcoming election should prioritise peace, harmony and constructive leadership.
He criticised leaders who, in his view, thrived on division and confrontation, arguing that such politics had done little to advance the interests of Soroti City West.
He described Echodu as the only candidate championing cohesion among different age groups and communities within the division.
Residents at the rally expressed concern over persistent challenges, including poor infrastructure, inadequate drainage and limited youth empowerment programmes.
Many said the division required a representative capable of engaging national ministries effectively and ensuring that government commitments were followed through.
They noted that Echodu’s accessibility and national connections placed him in a stronger position to address these issues.
Eastern Region NRM Youth League Vice Chairperson, Ome Samuel Omaria, echoed these sentiments, arguing that Soroti City West needed a leader who could mobilise government interventions and ensure transparency in service delivery.
Despite the heightened political environment, Echodu urged his supporters to conduct themselves peacefully throughout the campaign period.
He said the NRM’s approach in Soroti City West would focus on respect, truth and issue-based mobilisation.
With NRM stepping up its ground campaign, party strategists believe the tide may be shifting, particularly among undecided voters seeking a less confrontational and more development-oriented leadership style.
Echodu’s focus on unity and cooperation appears central to the party’s strategy to reassert its influence in the constituency.
