Calls for stronger disaster planning took centre stage in Agwata Town Council on Thursday as Dokolo North MP hopeful Joseph Jones Ogwal Omara outlined a proposal aimed at protecting communities repeatedly devastated by seasonal floods.
Unlike typical campaign rhetoric, Ogwal positioned his message around governance gaps and the need for institutional readiness, saying the district can no longer rely on last-minute emergency interventions.
Speaking to residents, Ogwal said he intends to work with councillors to champion a dedicated disaster-preparedness budget, anchored at both district and parliamentary level.
He added that he would ensure flooding victims receive timely disaster relief by activating a local disaster committee, securing budget allocations at sub-county and district levels for emergency response, and following up with government authorities to guarantee post-disaster support.
“We must stop treating floods as surprises,” Ogwal said. “Our people face the same suffering every year because we lack a clear, funded plan. This time, we want a response system that works before—not after—the damage.”
He further cautioned voters to carefully assess aspirants seeking their mandate, arguing that some leaders failed to deliver during their previous tenure and were now “reappearing only because elections are near.”
At the same gathering, Woman MP flag bearer Janet Rose Adongo Elau redirected discussions toward the district’s strained health system.
She said upgrading health centres must become a district-wide priority if Dokolo is to respond effectively to rising population needs.
“Health is the backbone of every community,” Adongo said. “We will push for improved facilities so that mothers and the elderly do not walk long distances to access basic care.”
Across the district, NRM flag bearers appear to be consolidating influence, driven partly by elders who say the candidates have presented practical agendas addressing long-standing gaps.
Elders Nelson Owodo, Benard Etin, and Jaspher Angulu said the trio—Ogwal JJ, Adongo Elau, and LC5 aspirant James Otto Apili—have demonstrated credibility and consistency.
“These candidates understand the real issues on the ground. Their agenda is clear, and that is why we support them,” said Owodo.
The rally in Agwata Town Council drew hundreds of residents—youth, women, and senior citizens—who pledged unified support for the NRM flag bearers, insisting the district needs aligned leadership to achieve meaningful development.
Many said fragmented representation had previously slowed service delivery and that they preferred a “top-to-bottom” NRM leadership structure to ensure smoother implementation of government programmes.
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