Soroti City West MP and newly appointed State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of International Affairs, Calvin Echodu, has pledged to promote peace, reconciliation and unity among leaders, saying cooperation is essential for effective service delivery and regional development.
Echodu made the remarks on Saturday during a thanksgiving ceremony held in honour of newly elected Soroti District LCV Chairperson Bob Owiny at Tubur Primary School in Tubur Town Council, Soroti District.
In a public display of reconciliation, Echodu revealed that he and Owiny had previously fallen out politically following disagreements during the recently concluded NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections. During the campaigns, Owiny supported Echodu's rival, Mike Mukula, resulting in strained relations between the two leaders.
However, Echodu said the differences had since been resolved through a series of reconciliation meetings, enabling both leaders to move forward with a shared commitment to serving the people.
"Politics comes with competition and disagreements, but after campaigns, leaders must unite and work together for the people. We have reconciled and agreed to focus on the development of Soroti and Teso," Echodu said.
He noted that despite the criticism and misunderstandings that characterised the campaign period, they had chosen to put aside their differences and prioritize the interests of the people.
The thanksgiving ceremony attracted hundreds of residents, political leaders, religious leaders and supporters from across the Teso sub-region.
Former Tourism Minister Godfrey Kiwanda, who accompanied Echodu, urged both leaders and residents to embrace reconciliation and focus on improving household incomes through government wealth-creation programmes.
Kiwanda encouraged beneficiaries of government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga and other livelihood programmes to view government support as seed capital for investment rather than immediate consumption.
He also challenged families to set personal development goals, noting that meaningful transformation begins at the household level.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge of Regional Affairs, Haruna Kyeyune Kasolo, pledged support for Owiny's administration.
Kasolo described Owiny as a humble and honest leader and promised to support the induction and capacity-building of district councillors to strengthen oversight, monitoring and implementation of government programmes.
"You are going to see development projects and improved service delivery in Soroti District. We shall work together with Minister Echodu to support the district leadership and ensure the NRM manifesto is effectively implemented," Kasolo said.
In his address, Owiny outlined an ambitious agenda aimed at restoring Soroti District's development trajectory. He cited inadequate healthcare infrastructure, poor road networks, gaps in education services and corruption as some of the district's major challenges.
Among his priorities are lobbying for the construction of a district hospital, upgrading health centres, establishing a technical institute, improving road infrastructure and ensuring government programmes benefit their intended recipients.
Owiny also called for unity between the Iteso and Kumam communities, warning that tribal and political divisions continue to undermine development efforts.
"I want to unite the people of Soroti regardless of tribe or political affiliation. If we remain divided, the people will not fully benefit from government programmes and development opportunities," he said.
Delivering a sermon during the thanksgiving service, the Bishop of Soroti Diocese, Bishop Kosea Odongo, urged Owiny to lead with humility, integrity, transparency and patience.
The bishop reminded political leaders that leadership is a calling to serve others rather than pursue personal interests.
"Lead with justice, honesty and transparency. Be patient with everyone and remain close to the people who entrusted you with leadership," Bishop Odongo advised.
The ceremony concluded with prayers for peace, unity and development in Soroti District, as leaders pledged to work together across political divides to accelerate service delivery and socio-economic transformation in the region.