Apac, Uganda: Residents of Apac Municipality have largely welcomed a package of education, health and sanitation initiatives announced by Apac Municipality MP Patrick Ocan, even as a section of critics question the political timing of the interventions ahead of the 2026 general elections.
Ocan made the announcements on Sunday while addressing thousands of supporters at Bama, Oyo Ward in Arocha Division. He unveiled a bursary scheme targeting 100 academically strong but financially constrained Senior Six leavers seeking to pursue medical-related courses next year, pledged to procure two additional ambulances for the municipality, and declared a municipality-wide general cleaning exercise ahead of the festive season.
Residents from across Apac Municipality said the initiatives speak directly to long-standing challenges in education access, emergency healthcare and sanitation.
Mr James Okello, a resident of Agulu electorate, said the bursary scheme offers renewed hope to families struggling to support children beyond Senior Six. “Many of our children pass well but stop at Senior Six because of poverty. If this bursary is well implemented, it will change lives,” Okello said.
From Kere electorate, parent Susan Akello welcomed the focus on medical training, noting the acute shortage of health workers in the area. “We lack doctors and health workers here. Supporting children to study medicine is planning for the future of Apac,” she said.
Health-related pledges also drew praise, particularly the plan to acquire additional ambulances. Patrick Otema, a boda boda rider from Atik Division, said emergency referrals remain one of the municipality’s biggest challenges.
“Sometimes patients die on the way because there is no ambulance. If each division gets one, it will save lives,” Otema said.
In Arocha Division, local council official Margaret Apio described the planned allocation of ambulances to the Agulu–Akere and Arocha–Atik electorates as long overdue. “This municipality is wide. Sharing one ambulance has been a problem for years,” Apio said.
The proposed general cleaning exercise also attracted support, particularly from traders and youth leaders. Robert Ongora, a youth leader in Oyo Ward, said the initiative reflects responsible leadership.
“Cleanliness reduces disease. Calling people to clean the town before Christmas is responsible leadership,” Ongora noted.
Market vendor Lily Aber from Apac Central Ward said improved sanitation would directly benefit business. “When the town is clean, customers come freely. We support this idea,” she said.
However, not all residents were convinced. Bosco Lanyero from Akere Ward questioned the timing of the announcements, arguing that they appeared politically calculated. “These things are good, but why now? Elections are near. It looks more political than genuine,” Lanyero said.
Similar concerns were raised by Grace Acan from Temogo Ward in Arocha Division, who said such programs should be continuous rather than rolled out during mobilisation rallies. “We need consistency. Leaders should support education and health even when there are no crowds,” she said.
Addressing the concerns earlier, Ocan disclosed that a similar bursary scheme launched earlier this year failed to attract the expected number of applicants, with only 65 of the 100 available slots taken up. He urged parents, teachers and local leaders to help identify eligible students so that no opportunity is lost this time.
Despite the mixed reactions, the announcements have ignited wide debate across Apac Municipality. Many residents say the ultimate measure of success will not be the promises themselves, but their implementation, transparency and equitable access across all electorates.
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