Why Eng. Ajedra Gabriel Aridru Wants to Revive the Glory of Vurra Constituency
Aridru while delivering his campaign message to the people of Ringili parish on Wednesday. Photo Credit, Andrew Cohen Amvesi
ARUA DISTRICT – Carrying a candle as his official campaign symbol, Eng. Gabriel Ajedra Aridru, the former State Minister for Finance (General Duties), is campaigning to reclaim the Vurra County parliamentary seat as an independent candidate and restore development momentum in the constituency.
Aridru previously served as Vurra County MP for one term (2016–2021) before losing the seat to Yovan Adriko in the 2021 general elections.
Since then, Aridru says many projects he initiated such as extending electricity and water to rural areas have stalled.
Having opted not to participate in the recent NRM primary elections, Aridru is now running independently, using the candle as a symbol of bringing light back to Vurra.
“You people have been in darkness for the last five years, but now I have come back with a candle to light up Vurra again. In me, you should see light. I have come to get you out of the darkness,” Aridru told residents of Ringili Parish, who warmly welcomed him during a rally at Andifeku Trading Centre on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Ringili Parish remains one of Aridru’s strongholds in Vurra County, where he secured about 95% of the votes in the 2021 general elections.
This time, he urged locals to push his support to at least 98% to enable him to return and complete unfinished projects.
“Last time, the people of Ringili gave me overwhelming votes; about 95% in the last elections. My visit here is to thank them and assure them that, if given another opportunity, I will complete the work I started,” Aridru promised.
He highlighted that Ringili was earmarked for rural electrification, but the project stalled after he left office.
“I have promised them that, if given the opportunity, I will ensure power reaches this trading centre. Water has been brought nearby, but they want it extended to the priest’s house, the church, and homes.
“There is also an important bridge connecting Ringili to Arivu, started by the district but left incomplete. I will ensure it is finished to ease trade and movement between the communities,” he added.
Aridru further noted that roads in the area, last worked on during his tenure as MP, would be rehabilitated if he returns to office.
Across the wider constituency and district, he pointed to several stalled initiatives, including rural electrification projects in multiple areas and advocacy for better administrative and health infrastructure.
“We started rural electrification in many parts of the constituency, which we plan to revive. I am also passionate about relocating district administrative offices from Arua city to here in Vurra and push for the construction of a public district hospital. Vurra has suffered in health service delivery, we rely heavily on Kuluva Hospital, run by the Church of Uganda, where patients are charged. If given the chance, I will lobby the Ministry of Finance to allocate resources for a government district hospital in Vurra,” Aridru said.
He emphasized that Vurra residents have loyally supported the ruling NRM party since 1986 and deserve to benefit fully from government programs like other constituencies.
Aridru pledged to lobby for boreholes, solar-powered water pumps, and improved roads using district equipment.
On boosting household incomes, a priority during his previous term, Aridru plans to promote quick-maturing crops.
“I will encourage growing crops that can be harvest in three months, such as tomatoes, onions, and cabbages, by providing seedlings to increase household incomes,” he said.
Vincent Anguzu, a resident of Ringili Parish, expressed delight at Aridru’s return, saying locals had called him back to continue stalled projects.
“We called him back to complete initiatives like electricity and water extensions, road rehabilitation, and other developments he planned. Aridru was also very supportive of churches and mosques, and that is why we want him back in Parliament,” Anguzu said.
Throughout his campaign trail, Aridru has also been asking the people of Vurra County to vote for Yoweri Museveni Kaguta, the NRM presidential candidate for continued peace and stability of the country.