NRM parliamentary candidate for Soroti City West David Calvin Echodu on Tuesday officially launched his Soroti City West Division campaigns at Pamba Primary School, drawing one of the largest political crowds the area has witnessed in recent years.
The event, marked by chants, traditional dances, and a sea of yellow, signaled what party leaders described as a renewed wave of momentum for the National Resistance Movement in Soroti City.
Echodu, who also serves as a member of the NRM Central Executive Committee (CEC), received a heroic welcome as hundreds lined up from Opuyo to Pamba Primary School, escorting him to the campaign venue.
Addressing a charged crowd, he praised the unity displayed by NRM leaders and supporters across the city, saying it was a clear sign that the party was headed for decisive victory in the upcoming elections.
“The unity I have seen in Soroti today is the unity of a winning team,” Echodu said, attracting loud applause.
“I am now ready to tell President Museveni that Soroti City has gained momentum ever since I was elected to CEC. What we are witnessing today is not ordinary. It is the power of NRM returning stronger than before.”
In his address, Echodu spoke passionately about the need for credible, servant leadership, stressing that the people of Soroti City West deserve leaders who deliver results, not empty promises or divisive rhetoric.
“People of Soroti City West don’t eat words but good leadership. People don’t eat tribalism but good leadership,” he said. “Time for lies has expired. The people have tested all kinds of leadership, and now they know who truly stands with them.”
He accused some candidates of misleading the public with false narratives, arguing that voters were now wiser and ready to choose leaders based on integrity and proven service.
Echodu emphasized that his track record of community support, despite not holding an elective office, speaks louder than any political propaganda.
The launch event brought together key NRM flag bearers in Soroti City, each pledging to work collectively to reclaim political space long dominated by the Opposition.
Sarah Inachu, the NRM flag bearer for Soroti City Woman MP, delivered a fiery message, declaring that Soroti City had been “in bondage” under FDC leadership for too long.
“Soroti City has been in bondage under FDC, but now NRM is going to redeem this city,” Inachu said.
She urged voters to rally behind the entire NRM lineup, insisting that unified support across all divisions would strengthen service delivery and development.
She praised Echodu for energizing the party structures, saying his youthful appeal, charisma, and strong organizational capacity had already begun attracting undecided voters.
Also speaking at the rally was Isaac Orego, the NRM flag bearer for Soroti City East, who said the NRM wave sweeping through Soroti was unstoppable.
“The NRM is set to change the face of Soroti City. What we are seeing today is evidence that the people are returning home to their party,” Orego stated.
He added that the party’s renewed grassroots mobilization was already unsettling the Opposition.
Echodu enters the Soroti City West parliamentary race against stiff competition, including the incumbent FDC legislator Jonathan Ebwalu, independent candidate Patrick Anoku, and the NUP flag bearer. However, NRM leaders argued that this time the political landscape favors their candidate.
Party Chairpersons, youth leaders, women groups, boda boda associations, and religious elders who spoke at the launch pledged unwavering support for Echodu, saying his consistency and community engagement over the years positioned him as the best choice.
Residents cited his work in education support, youth empowerment, and community welfare as significant contributions that endeared him to people even before he declared interest in the parliamentary seat.
One supporter from Pamba described Echodu as “a leader who has always been present in times of need,” saying the city was ready to reward his loyalty with electoral victory.
Despite the competitive nature of the race, Echodu called for peaceful politics, urging his supporters to avoid confrontations and instead focus on sharing the NRM message of development and stability.
“NRM has always stood for peace, and peace is the foundation of development,” he said. “Let us campaign with respect. Let us show the people why we are the right choice, not by fighting others but by offering solutions.”
He assured supporters that his campaign strategy would prioritize door-to-door engagements, community dialogues, and issue-based messaging rather than propaganda or personal attacks.
Following the launch at Pamba Primary School, Echodu’s team is expected to roll out a marathon schedule covering all wards in Soroti City West.
NRM leaders said today’s turnout was a powerful indicator that the party was regaining political ground in an area where Opposition candidates have performed strongly in past elections.
As the sun set over Pamba, supporters continued chanting Echodu’s name, vowing to follow him throughout the campaign trail.
With renewed unity, strong party backing, and visible public enthusiasm, the NRM believes Soroti City West is poised for what leaders called “a historic political comeback.”
If today’s scenes are anything to go by, the battle for Soroti City West has officially entered a new and defining phase.
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