We know those fighting MP Atima, they will end badly, Minister Balaam warns
MP Atima speaking to his supporters at the OPM ground in Arua Central Division on Monday. Photo Credit, Andrew Cohen Amvesi
ARUA CITY – The State Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Hon. Balaam Barugahara Ateenyi, has revealed that the government knows the individuals fighting the Arua Central Division NRM Parliamentary candidate, Jackson Atima Lee Buti.
He described Atima’s political nemesis as wealthy sons and daughters from the region and warned that they would soon end badly.
“President Yoweri Museveni came to Arua and personally handed Hon. Atima the NRM flag. It is unfortunate that some NRM members here are fighting him, but Atima is a child of God,” Balaam said during a special youth mobilization rally at OPM Grounds on Monday.
He added: “With the prayers and support of the women and youth of Arua Central Division, Atima will win and Atima must win! The rich brothers and sisters funding those fighting Atima will collapse in their own movie. By the way, we know them.”
Balaam conveyed warm greetings from President Museveni and the First Lady Janet Museveni to the youths of Arua Central Division.
“Mzee Museveni has directed all of you to vote for Atima and all NRM flag bearers on Thursday,” he said.
He urged the residents of Arua City to embrace government programs such as the Youth Livelihood Program, Emyooga and the Parish Development Model (PDM) in order to alleviate poverty.
“I have come to discuss these government programs in Arua. If they are working well, we must protect them by voting President Yoweri Museveni back into office,” Balaam appealed.
Earlier in the day, the Minister met youth leaders who presented to him a memorandum requesting for a skills training center, government scholarships and mindset training to groom future leaders in Arua City.
“We pledge loyalty, unity and discipline as NRM youths in Arua City. We commit to mobilizing votes for NRM in these remaining days. We are ready to support and work with the NRM government on all its programs,” said Hikima Liberty, the NRM Youth Chairperson for Bazaar Ward, reading on behalf of the youth leadership.
“We are mobilizing under the NRM government and the able leadership of His Excellency Yoweri Kaguta Museveni. We seek his direct recognition, support and empowerment to become proactive citizens of Uganda.”
Following the meeting, Minister Balaam and Atima led the youths in a march through the streets of Arua town. A large crowd joined, singing songs in excitement and support for President Museveni and all NRM flag bearers.
However, the march was briefly disrupted near OPM Grounds when supporters of an independent candidate nearly clashed with the Minister’s group.
To maintain peace, the Minister briefly stopped his team and allowed the other group to pass. Unfortunately, some members of his team were later assaulted and hospitalized.
Balaam directed the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) and District Police Commander to swiftly investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to book.
Swadick Angupale, Deputy RCC for Arua Central, promised immediate action.
“The incident was unfortunate and represented the highest level of indiscipline. We shall pursue the matter and take appropriate action,” Angupale stated.
Koboko Municipality MP Charles Ayume and Uganda’s Ambassador to Turkey, Nusura Tiperu, also attended the rally, urging locals to vote for President Museveni and MP Atima in the upcoming elections.
In his remarks, Atima credited the ongoing developments in West Nile to the peace and stability brought by President Museveni. He noted that peace has enabled significant progress nationwide.
“Here in West Nile, things were once bad: poor roads, no electricity, dilapidated schools and hospitals. But now, we walk on tarmacked roads, the region is connected to the national grid, and new schools and hospitals have been built, all thanks to the peace and stability under President Museveni,” Atima said.
He highlighted that West Nile is the only region in Uganda with two referral hospitals, following the government’s elevation of Yumbe Hospital to regional referral status.
With these achievements, Atima called on West Nile residents to vote for President Museveni to sustain development. He also appealed to the people of Arua Central Division to re-elect him so that he can continue collaborating with the President to deliver more projects to the area.