Fungaroo: ‘Protecting Gains’ must become ‘Counting Gaps’
Ex-MP Fungaroo while addressing journalists in Arua City on Friday
ARUA. Former Obongi County MP Hassan Kaps Fungaroo has urged the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) leadership to amend its manifesto theme to better reflect West Nile’s realities.
Fungaroo, who also serves as Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) Vice President for Northern Uganda, proposed changing the slogan from “Protecting the Gains” to “Protecting the Gains and Counting the Gaps.”
“Our focus here is on counting the gaps, because West Nile has far more gaps than gains. Let the ‘gains’ apply to other parts of Uganda. The current theme simply doesn’t fit the West Nile because there is little to protect,” Fungaroo said during a press conference in Arua City on Friday.
He added: “President Museveni’s tour, from Pakwach to Terego and Yumbe districts, feels like an untitled essay. If his manifesto theme doesn’t suit West Nile, what’s the right one?”
Fungaroo cited examples from the tour. In Terego district where Museveni campaigned on Thursday, residents highlighted gaps in Parish Development Model (PDM) fund distribution.
He defined a “gap” as the difference between expectations and reality.
“Throughout West Nile, the conversation has centered on these gaps: what people expected by now versus what they have received,” Fungaroo said.
“Terego raised PDM shortfalls, where most residents got nothing. Nebbi and Zombo focused on roads.”
He noted promises to tarmac the route from Panyimur via Erusi to Paidha, Zombo, and Vurra Customs which is still unmet.
Electricity access was another issue: every district was supposed to be connected, yet Obongi remains in the dark.
Fungaroo also pointed to unpaid government compensation for veterans, ex-servicemen, war-affected civilians, and food suppliers to NRA rebels.
Additionally, 16 trucks donated by Arua business people to the NRA rebels in the 1980s remain uncompensated, despite helping to usher Museveni into power.
“In West Nile, it’s all about gaps,” Fungaroo concluded. “So, what’s the best title for Museveni’s tour here: ‘Protecting the Gains’ or ‘Counting the Gaps’? The manifesto theme must be amended for West Nile, it should be Counting the Gaps.”
Fungaroo has already declared interest to unseat Dr. George Bhoka Didi, the incumbent Obongi County MP come January 2026 general elections.
Fungaroo said he intends to fix the leadership gap created by Dr. Bhoka in the last five years so that Obongi can regain its lost glory in terms of unity, representation and service delivery.