In Uganda’s dynamic political arena, where pledges often fall through the cracks and citizens grow weary of hollow manifestos, one woman is steadily reshaping the narrative in Ngora District.
Juliet Achayo Lodou, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Ngora County, is not just making promises, she is fulfilling them.
As the 2026 general elections inch closer, the mood on the ground speaks volumes.
In markets, places of worship, borehole queues, and school compounds, a common refrain echoes: “She has delivered.”
In an in-depth interview, Achayo reflected on her flagship projects and strategic interventions in 2023, offering a vivid portrait of servant leadership anchored in visibility, inclusivity, and practical impact.
2023 marked a turning point for rural entrepreneurship in Ngora.
Achayo spearheaded the empowerment of 214 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) by providing both livestock, mainly goats and startup capital.
These groups, predominantly women and youth-led, have become engines of household income and resilience.
“We realized that sustainable development starts from the home,” she said, seated at her constituency office in Ngora Town Council. 
“By strengthening VSLAs, we build a culture of savings, financial independence, and entrepreneurship.”
One such success story is found in Atoot Sub-county.
James Oluka, a VSLA member also a Bussiness man recounted: “We received six goats and UGX 1 million in startup funds. Today, three of our group members have launched small produce businesses. We’re no longer dependent on handouts.”
Achayo’s 2023 record was also marked by a strong push for social inclusion.
She distributed 215 mobility devices,tricycles and wheelchairs, to persons with disabilities (PWDs), enabling freedom of movement and access to opportunity.
“I believe leadership should bring everyone to the table,” she emphasized.
“Disability is not inability. We just need to remove physical and social barriers.”
“Before, i donated this support some of the PWDs relied on relatives to move. Now, they travel independently and sell phone accessories at the center. It’s not just about movement, it’s dignity.”
She told our reporter that, “This is an ongoing commitment for me. Ensuring that those with disabilities have access to the resources they need is a priority,” Achayo explained.
Mrs. Achayo has shown significant support on access to clean water which has long challenged rural Ngora, with communities depending on unsafe or distant sources.
In 2023 alone, Achayo led the rehabilitation of 100 non-functional boreholes across all sub-counties, directly improving access for thousands.
“This isn’t just about water,” she noted.
“It’s about health, dignity, and the empowerment of women who no longer walk hours to fetch water.”
The ripple effect has been transformative. In Kobwin, several mothers including Suzan Apio, Mary Gorreti Aguti have reported fewer diarrheal infections and better school attendance among children most especially girls.
“Now, my daughters fetch water in ten minutes and return to class on time,” said Apio.
Recognizing the role of sports in youth empowerment and community cohesion, Hon. Achayo supported over 60 football and volleyball teams with balls, kits, and tournament funding.
She also donated uniforms to seven football clubs across the district.
“Sports teach teamwork, resilience, and healthy living. Every investment in our youth pays back double.”
“It’s more than a game. It’s a platform for discipline, leadership, and pride. When our boys wear their uniforms, they walk taller,” said Samson Olupot, a in Koidike Parish.
MP Achayo also used a better part of her 2023 to resolve the long-running conflict between fishermen in Ngora and neighboring Pallisa District over Lake Nyaguo fishing rights had grown increasingly volatile.
In 2023, Hon. Achayo initiated cross-community dialogues, bringing together stakeholders, elders, and security representatives.
“We needed to lower the temperature. Dialogue is cheaper than conflict,” she said.
One participant, Samuel Akol, described the impact: “For years, we avoided the lake during certain seasons. Now we coordinate use, share waters peacefully, and meet quarterly.”
“When natural disasters such as hailstones or torrential rains have destroyed food crops and threatened livelihoods, I have been quick to act.”
She noted that, she has successfully lobbied for relief from the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to support the community during these challenging times.
“We’ve been able to mobilize essential resources for those affected by such calamities, ensuring that our people don’t go hungry or without shelter in their time of need,” she said.
“I will continue lobbying for even more resources, better infrastructure, and greater opportunities for our youth,” she promised.
With her track record of success, there is little doubt that she will remain a powerful force in the region’s political sphere.
Bad roads in Ngora are more than an inconvenience they are a barrier to education, healthcare, and trade.
In a significant change from previous efforts, Achayo says that she was able to provide support to help grade roads, ensuring that key routes were more accessible.
Some of the roads that benefited from this development include Critical stretches repaired included the 8km Kobuin–Opot Road and the 3.5km Apama Akero–Oteteen link, which have been pivotal in connecting communities and facilitating trade.
She also lobbied for culverts to strengthen road resilience.
“These roads are lifelines,” she stated. “They connect farmers to markets, patients to hospitals, and children to school.”
A midwife in Kobuin recounted how a recent delivery was saved thanks to the improved access route.
“We reached the health center in time, just because the road was finally passable.”
Achayo’s approach to education has been both structural and supportive.
In 2023, Gawa Primary School and Kobuin Seed Secondary School received critical infrastructure upgrades: staff houses, water tanks, and a computer lab to bridge the digital divide.
“Staff retention is up because of the new houses. And our students in the above schools are now learning basic computer skills, something they never thought possible,” MP Achayo noted.
Additionally, she awarded scholastic kits to over 110 top PLE performers and distributed math sets to all candidates across the district.
“When learners feel seen and celebrated, they achieve more. Every year, I ensure that Primary 7 candidates receive past papers to help them improve their academic performance,” she shared.
“Additionally, since 2023, I have spearheaded the timely distribution of mathematical sets to all Primary 7 candidates, ensuring they are adequately prepared for their final exams.”
Understanding the centrality of religion in Ngora’s social fabric, Achayo invested in the spiritual well-being of her constituents.
Over 10 churches were renovated or constructed, and 450 weddings received financial or material assistance to support community cohesion.
A notable highlight was the electrification of Atoot Mosque, the first of its kind in the area.
“Faith-based spaces are safe spaces. We must honor all faiths equally,” she noted.
“Electricity has made prayers safer and more frequent. I am not just a leader but I am one of them.”
During Eid al-Adha, Achayo donated over 900kg of rice to Muslim households in an inclusive gesture that was widely appreciated.
Beyond local interventions, Hon. Achayo has used her parliamentary position to secure national-level support.
In 2023, her lobbying efforts yielded: 15 hospital beds for understaffed health centers, Long-lasting borehole pipes for sustained clean water access, Roofing sheets for five underdeveloped schools and A secondary school bus for Kobuin Seed Secondary School.
She also championed piped water extensions and additional textbook supplies to improve learning outcomes.
“I don’t go to Parliament to be seen, I go to get results,” she said firmly.
Achayo says her focus remains on continuity and deepening impact.
“We’ve built the foundation. Now we aim to scale. We’re looking into ICT centers for youth, maternity ward upgrades, and enterprise skilling for women,” she stated.
Her team is already working on proposals to attract government and NGO partnerships for value addition in agriculture, solar electrification in off-grid schools, and digital literacy programs.
Why 2026 Is Already Decided
Experts say that in Uganda, the correlation between service delivery and electoral success is increasingly clear.
MPs who meet real needs are not just re-elected they build political legacies.
According to Charles Obelon a resident of Ngora Town Council, “Voters are more politically aware. They ask: what did you do? Not just what did you say.”
“In Ngora, Hon. Achayo Juliet has answered that question with action. She has given us roads, she gave us water, she gave us respect,” he added.
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