Dokolo, Uganda | Joseph Jones Ogwal has rallied residents of Dokolo North County to put political differences aside and embrace unity for the development of the district, saying the trust voters placed in him will not be betrayed.
Speaking during the finals of a football tournament he organised at Barlela Primary School in Bata Sub-county on Sunday, May 17, 2026, Ogwal said his leadership agenda will focus on youth empowerment, sports development, infrastructure improvement and poverty eradication.
The event marked the legislator’s first public appearance two days after being sworn in as Member of Parliament for Dokolo North County.
Ogwal said the quality of football displayed during the tournament demonstrated that Dokolo has immense untapped talent capable of competing at the national level.
He noted that the standard of play was comparable to football exhibited in Lira City and other parts of the country, revealing plans to establish Dokolo United Football Club to nurture local players and expose them to higher levels of competition.
The MP also conveyed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s appreciation to the people of Dokolo and the wider Lango sub-region for overwhelmingly supporting him during the recently concluded elections.
According to Ogwal, the president acknowledged the region for giving him over 84% of the vote and assured wananchi that the next five years would be dedicated to delivering tangible development programmes.
On agriculture, the legislator said they had already lobbied hoes from the president to support households engaged in farming, although some residents did not benefit during the first distribution.
Ogwal said that the first batch of 49,000 hoes had been distributed across Dokolo North and Dokolo South constituencies, with at least 70 people per village benefiting, although the hoes were not enough, adding that he would continue lobbying for more government support.
“I have also received reports about the theft of some of these hoes in Agwata Town Council. I am going to follow up this matter with the Resident District Commissioner to ensure that those responsible are apprehended because what is meant to benefit residents should not be stolen,” Ogwal said.
Ogwal further disclosed that he is following up on electricity extension projects to ensure villages without power are connected to the national grid.
He added that the enhanced funding under the Parish Development Model is already helping communities improve their livelihoods and fight poverty.
The MP also urged young people to remain disciplined and avoid excessive alcohol consumption if they are to succeed in sports and life.
He cited Ugandan football stars Allan Okello and Mato Rogers as examples of committed players who achieved success through focus and discipline.
Dokolo District NRM Publicity Secretary Raphael Okello praised the tournament organised by the MP, saying it helped reduce crime and violence in the sub-county during the competition period.
He encouraged Ogwal to sustain the initiative, describing sports as an important tool for health promotion and social transformation.
Former Amwoma Sub-county LCIII chairperson Odur Geoffrey said the tournament reflected the MP’s commitment to uniting youth and supporting programmes that prepare them for the future.
The MP’s sub-county coordinator, Bosco Okello, also commended the peaceful conduct of participants and organisers throughout the tournament.
This year’s competition stood out for increased participation of girls and women, who for years had largely remained cheerleaders during football tournaments.
The matches were played across the six parishes of Ocero, Alapata, Atabu, Bardege, Apenyo, and Barlela.
In the girls’ final, Barlela Parish defeated Alapata Parish 1-0, while Ocero Parish edged Atabu Parish 1-0 in the boys’ final to emerge champions.