Gulu Archdiocese Archbishop Odama cautions voters and politicians against commercialising politics
As the 2021 general election pressure rises, Gulu Archdiocese Archbishop Odama has warned politicians and voters against commercialising politics, that’s selling and buying of votes by both parties.
Archbishop of Gulu Archdiocese, John Baptist Odama says marketing political candidates aspiring for political positions should end, because this will affect the country’s development if such leaders are elected.
“It means such politicians, who commercialise politics, will not fulfil the needs of the people because they have bought the votes, and holding such a politician accountable will be hard,” Odama said.
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Archbishop Odama says once a voter is paid to vote, it becomes difficult for that voter to demand service delivery from such a leader because he paid him.
“In such a manner, the voter has no right to claim what they wish him (politician) to do since they have opted for cash,” Odama said.
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Reacting to Archbishop Ondama statements, the Nwoya District Woman legislator, Lilly Adong who is also the vice-chairperson of the Acholi Parliamentary Group, admitted that she has also given out money to different groups in her community, fundraising projects just like any other politician.
But the public should not only draw condemnations and blame politicians alone but communities as well, because 90% of the letters they receive from communities ask for money, which they cannot refuse to attend to.
“I think they should not only blame the politicians but the community as well because 90% of the letters we receive from different groups at our respective offices are asking for money and you cannot disappoint them,” Adong said.
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Joel Ssenyonyi, the People Power Pressure Group spokesperson admitted that many politicians use the money to buy votes from voters.
But he says voters can take the money if they want to, however, during the voting time, they should look out for that leader who will deliver services to them.
“Voters say give me my cash now because I will not see you again after voting. We have been telling our voters that they have a choice to take the money but look out for leaders who will prioritise service delivery,” Ssenyonyi said.
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