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BY RICHARD DRASIMAKU
ARUA: SUNDAY, JANUARY 04, 2026
It was a demonstration of affection, support and enthusiasm at various venues in Yabiavoko ward commonly referred to as Riki in the former Oluko sub county, as Eng William Tiyo Odaa, the National Resistance Movement candidate canvassed for votes.
The extraordinary scenes of excited residents running out of their houses waving Kitenges (famous Congolese fashion ware) and shouting “Odaa mvapi” (Odaa’s son), was marveling, drawing praise and commendation from the candidate.
“I want to thank you very much for the support you have shown me,” he told the residents as they expressed firm support for President Yoweri Museveni and Eng Tiyo.
Eng Tiyo said the reception was exceptional and surprising especially as some people were pumping false information out there that they have the land title of Yibiavoko in terms of support of the locals.
“I started seeing this affection from the primary elections. If voting for flagbearer was primed on money distribution, I would never have touched this flag,” he said.
Eng Tiyo expounded that during the primary election campaigns, he was variously despised as the poorest candidate and likened to a dog.
“But you gave the flag to the poor dog. This is because you saw how good this poor dog has been when he was a civil servant. He supported you though in small ways in your weddings, funerals, and church activities. The poor dog supported you with a borehole funded by friends from Europe to the tune of sh30 million and they have promised to extend more support,” he said drawing ululations.
Eng Tiyo is in the race for the Ayivu East Parliamentary seat with Godfrey Anguyo of the Forum for Democratic Change, Geoffrey Feta an independent candidate and Isaac Ayikobua of the National Unity Platform.
He captivated the people with calculated jokes and effective rebuttal of propaganda from the opponent’s camps
He said in the NRM flag he sees not only the people’s love and support but also the blessings of the Almighty God.
“During primary election campaigns, they said I cannot speak in public. I’m a poor dog, I don’t have a house etc.
I want to tell people that every dog has their uncle; when you hit a dog with a stick, the dog runs to its uncles and you are the uncles of this poor dog talking to you,” he fired amid applause.
“Are your roads in Riki very bad because Eng Tiyo did not talk in the last five years? Which is your shortcut road here? Are you not crossing that Agbulu stream because Eng Tiyo does not speak in Parliament? You told me about your source of water and I gave the number of the borehole technician, I told you to call him to come and assess that borehole but I have not got a feedback from you. Don’t you have clean water here because Eng Tiyo does not speak?” the Eng added is a series of ripostes.
Eng Tiyo informed the people that after they handed the NRM flag to him, some losers in the primary election contest started saying he is too ugly to become a member of Parliament.
“Didn’t Riki health Centre III become a health Center IV because Eng Tiyo is ugly? Riki people do not want you with that handsomeness of yours that is stopping services from come to Ayivu East. Has the handsomeness of some people brought for you services here? let me lough like a cock hohoho-hoo!” said Eng Tiyo.
He clarified that Parliament does not have a pavilion for a beauty contest but rather it is a house for debate of national development issues, serious representations of the people, legislation and to superintend over service delivery through oversight.
Most of the residents’ concerns rotated around the need to open roads and rehabilitate the existing ones, construct culverts and bridges to allow mobility during rainy season, rural electrification and upgrading of Riki health Centre.
Betty Onziru asked why the government is not giving special assistance to widows who have not attained the age for the social assistance grant for the elderly.
Gabriel Ofeku, an ex-soldier who lost his documents in a house inferno after getting payment of benefits three years demanded to know why government is not kin on supporting the sick veterans, other residents wanted PDM to be scaled up. Other queries ranged from how youths can get enrolled into the presidential skilling program to why fireworks are not blasted on Rupa Hill on New Year’s Night.
Tiyo said he will give consideration to these issues after the elections including discussing the support to the widows with the Woman Member of Parliament for Arua City.
“What Riki people want from the political leaders is services- electricity, water, roads, health services, education and wealth creation avenues. These are indeed genuine demands,” he continued.
And putting is hand perpendicular to his face, Tiyo gazed over the residents houses and quipped: “Is that I am seeing an electric pole? Oh it’s a fig tree!”
This was in apparent reference to the lack of electricity in the area despite former Oluko sub county which Yabiavoko is a part, hosting the main power substation in Arua City.
He then turned to address the ever pressing issue of poverty and the desire to eradicate it urgently.
“You want Parish development model implementation to be streamlined so that every cell benefits and the impact is scaled up. If I come and support your existing savings groups that is more useful than a politician coming to distribute sh1,000 per voter or slaughter a cow under pressure from looming exit,” he declared.
Eny Tiyo warned the people to be vigilant and not allow themselves to be confused with petty cash handouts or a piece of meat.
He rallied the youths in the constituency to embrace skills training programs as a bulwark against unemployment and redundancy.
Eng Tiyo said the government has established training school in Ragem, Olia in Adjumani and Ora in Zombo under a State House program.
He said the training courses are for six months and you are trained for free and at completion, the graduates are given tools for starting up your work.
“These are the things that youths need for transformation and as leaders we must bring this information to you,” he emphasized.
