MP Atima’s second-term bid excites Baazar Ward residents
MP Atima speaking to the residents of Baazar ward during his rally on Monday
ARUA CITY – Thousands of residents in Baazar Ward, Arua Central Division, turned out in jubilation on Monday to welcome their Member of Parliament (MP), Jackson Atima Lee Buti, as he arrived for his campaign in the area.
The National Resistance Movement (NRM) flag bearer addressed a mammoth rally at Old Bus Park cell, where supporters expressed strong backing for his second-term bid, citing his achievements during his first term.
Alice Ajio, a resident of Old Bus Park cell, said she was overjoyed at the prospect of Atima returning to Parliament.
“I want Atima re-elected because he has worked closely with President Yoweri Museveni to address the challenges we face in Central Division,” Ajio said.
“This area is home to people from diverse tribes and religions, including refugees from DR Congo and South Sudan. Atima has united us and enabled us to live together peacefully.”
She praised the MP for fostering harmony and protecting residents while promoting economic empowerment at the grassroots.
“Thanks to the peace we enjoy under President Museveni’s leadership, people no longer flee into exile. They are building homes and supporting their families. MP Atima has used this stability to reach ordinary people and financially empower them to grow their businesses,” she added.
Ajio expressed confidence that a second term would bring even greater benefits to the constituency.
She also drew parallels between Atima and the late Ibrahim Abiriga, the former Arua Municipality MP whose assassination in 2018 deeply affected the area.
“The death of Hon. Abiriga pained us greatly. We elected Atima to continue his legacy of serving the common person. Atima has truly filled Abiriga’s shoes; he is incorruptible, generous, people-centered, and a unifying leader not just in Arua Central but across West Nile,” Ajio said.
Nafis Zulaika, another resident, highlighted Atima’s personal interventions beyond his legislative duties.
“Hon. Atima has financially supported individuals and groups, and sponsored many vulnerable children to study in technical institutions such as Omugo, Ragem, and Lira Technical Institute,” she said.
“That’s why we want him back in Parliament so that he can continue to lobby for more resources to operationalize the youth skilling center he initiated here,” Zulaika added.
Dickson Adomati, the NRM Publicity Secretary for Arua Central Division, commended Baazar Ward residents for their overwhelming support, noting that the ward has historically voted for opposition candidates.
“This time, let us also make history by voting for President Museveni, Hon. Atima, and all NRM flag bearers,” Adomati urged.
In his address, Atima thanked the residents of Baazar ward for the massive turnout, interpreting it as a clear sign of victory in the upcoming elections.
He accounted for his achievements over the past four years and outlined his vision for a second term, prioritizing the completion of ongoing projects.
These include supporting faith-based organizations in constructing places of worship, mobilizing funds to operationalize the skilling center he established near River Osu which will create jobs and self-reliance opportunities for youth and women among other things.
Shortly after the rally, the locals joined Atima in marching on the streets of Arua town as a sign of victory ahead of the general elections.
Political observers currently rate Atima as the most favorite candidate for the Arua Central Division Parliamentary seat come January 15, 2026.