Broken promises fuel voter anger as campaign pledges remain unfulfilled in Pader

23 December 2025, 16:16

By Agines Auma

As Uganda inches closer to another election cycle, growing frustration is emerging in Pader District, where residents say repeated campaign pledges by political leaders have failed to translate into tangible improvements in roads, health care, water access, and security.

While political leaders acknowledge shortcomings and blame chronic underfunding, voters argue that unfulfilled promises have eroded trust and left communities trapped in hardship.

David Odongkara, the LCIII Chairperson of Potogali Sub-county, admits that many pledges made over the years remain unmet.

With more than 20 years in local government having served in Acholibur, Latanya, and now Potogali Odongkara says his inability to deliver on promises of good roads, clean water, and improved health services is largely due to limited funding from the central government.

“I have promised my people roads, water, and health services,” Odongkara said. “But without resources, those promises remain unfulfilled.”

According to him, more than 20 villages in Potogali Sub-county still lack access to clean water. Community access roads have deteriorated further, while health facilities including Potogali Health Centre II, Dure Health Centre II, and Latigi Health Centre II continue to operate with inadequate infrastructure.

Latigi Health Centre II has no staff quarters at all, and the others have insufficient accommodation, making it difficult to retain health workers.

Odongkara criticized Members of Parliament for failing to advocate strongly for local governments, arguing that national leaders prioritize personal benefits over service delivery at the grassroots.

Similar admissions come from Puranga Town Council. LCIII Chairperson Hon. Ojok Francis Dipola says many of the promises he made during the 2021 campaigns, especially on road networks, remain unfulfilled due to low funding.

He also revealed that health facilities in Puranga suffered prolonged drug stock-outs last year, forcing residents particularly the poor to go without treatment.

But for residents, explanations no longer suffice.

Atim Patrica Akera, a resident of Oluwogu North Cell in Pader Town Council, says political messaging has barely changed over the years, yet implementation remains weak.

“I have attended many campaigns, from city mayor to MP level,” Akera said. “They all talk about peace and development, but these promises are recycled. When you look back, many have not been implemented.”

She points to poor road conditions leading into town, persistent insecurity, and weak justice systems.

Akera also criticized the practice of giving money to voters during campaigns, calling it bribery, and questioned leaders’ commitment to fighting corruption.

“People are lynched instead of getting justice, police response is slow, and night killings continue without proper investigations,” she added. “Leaders must stop lying and fulfill their promises.”

In Pajule Town Council, Okello Franky echoed similar frustrations, particularly over roads and health services.

“Our leaders give many promises during campaigns,” he said. “But once elected, they don’t fulfill them. Roads are so poor we can’t access markets, and at government health facilities drugs are not enough. You are tested and told to buy medicine from a clinic. If you have no money, you suffer.”

Laker Joyce, a resident of Tejingi Cell in Pader Town Council, highlighted the water crisis.

“We have only one borehole, yet we are the largest cell,” she said. “We walk long distances for clean water. Roads are very poor. We appeal to our leaders to do what they promised.”

On infrastructure, the long-neglected Pagwari–Alim road remains a symbol of broken pledges.

Mr. Okwir Charles Ray, the District Secretary for Works and Technical Services, acknowledged the delay but said 222 million shillings has been allocated for the road.

Although not officially classified as a district road, he said it is vital for trade and access to services. Works are expected to begin once equipment currently stationed in Latanya becomes available.

On health service concerns, Ocen Justine, the District Secretary for Health and Vice Chairperson LCV for Pader, said drug shortages are largely driven by high demand.

“We receive medicines from the ministry every two months, and they usually send what we request,” Ocen said. “But demand especially for anti-malarials is very high. When stocks run out, it means supply cannot match demand. We are engaging the Ministry of Health to address these gaps.”

While some progress has been registered such as the community-led effort to secure land for the upgrade of Paiula Health Centre II to Health Centre III residents say such gains remain isolated.

Oroma Patrick, Chairperson of the Health Unit Management Committee, said the upgrade of Paiula Health Centre II to Health Centre III delayed because the facility lacked the required four acres of land.

After submitting their priorities to the district and undergoing assessment, the committee engaged surrounding communities, who agreed to donate land.

The health centre has now secured the required acreage, paving the way for the upgrade.

As voters reflect on years of unfulfilled pledges, many say the next election should be less about promises and more about accountability, warning that continued failure to deliver risks deepening public distrust in political leadership