Barely two weeks after President Museveni reshuffled his Cabinet, Serere District residents are beginning to express regret over the exit of former State Minister for Fisheries, Hellen Adoa Abeku, saying her absence is already being felt in the community.
Hon. Adoa, who also previously served as Serere District Woman Member of Parliament, lost her seat in a tightly contested race to her former student, Esther Lucy Acom, in an election that drew significant local attention.
Now, sections of the electorate say they are reconsidering their decision, citing growing dissatisfaction with developments following the transition.
Fishermen from Bugondo, one of the most active fishing communities in the district, said they regret voting against Adoa, claiming that promises made during the campaigns have not been fulfilled.
“We were told that once she wins, the issue of beating fishermen on the lake would stop. But as we speak now, the beatings are even worse,” one fisherman said.
In Amakio, Olio Sub-county, Glades Adeke said the former MP played a key role in supporting students, adding that residents are now uncertain about how education support will be handled going forward.
“Sometimes it is not good to rush. We have lost Adoa, but it is fine. Four years is a long time. We appeal to Hon. Hellen to keep moving with us as usual—it is like she is on leave for now,” she said.
Meanwhile, David Okello from Oburiekori Ochapa Town Council said expectations placed on the new Woman MP are yet to be met, accusing her of favoritism in the selection of people she works with.
“Hon. Adoa could not refuse to help. For me and my entire village, we voted for Hellen, but how things turned against her, I cannot tell,” he said.
In Kongoto, Bugondo, Jessica Apio raised concerns over the availability of support items such as chairs and tents for community burial functions, which she said were previously provided by Adoa.
She said residents were told during campaigns that new leadership would immediately improve service delivery, including provision of such community support, but this has not been realized.
“Now we are suffering. Hon. Hellen kept her chairs and tents as was promised by the newly elected MP, but we are not seeing anything at all. We want to appeal to Hon. Hellen to forgive us; the people of Bugondo voted for her,” she said.
As public debate continues, Serere residents appear divided between adjusting to the new leadership and reflecting on what they describe as “a difficult political transition” in the district.
