Arua chambers of commerce faces closure over Debo Politics

By Nathan Ngobi

Arua chamber of commerce which serves the West Nile region would soon be closed if the president of the national chamber of commerce Olive Kigongo proves beyond reasonable doubt that the area chairman Debo Ronald uses the offices for political gains other than serving the business community.

On Thursday 23rd May 2024 Debo organised his supporters dressed in yellow NRM colour attires labelled “Debo Ronald MP Arua central 2026- 2031” and carried street processions in Arua central city among them the ghetto youths who joined Hamza Ezama Muzamiru the deputy RCC Arua central who had staged a pre thanks giving function at OPM ground in Arua city.

Hamza was drumming up support for the D -day come 8th June 2024 when the real thanks giving function would take place.

The actions of Debo carrying out open campaigns in Arua central city division while serving as unifying chairman of the business agency of chamber of commerce Arua contravenes the laws governing the Uganda national chamber of commerce whose objectives are to brings together all forms of people regardless of their party or religious affiliation but aimed at business development.

Olive Kigongo now bitter with Debo’s characters says that she is studying photos, videos and other footages obtained from Arua about Debo jeopardising the image of chamber of commerce and if she proves right then she would have no option but to close the Arua offices until a new team is put in place.

“We are studying everything given to us from Arua and soon we shall have no option but to throw Debo out of office, so that he goes and consecrates on politics other than chamber of commerce businesses” Olive said.

She added that they would not leave one person to destroy the image and objectives of the chambers of commerce because he wants to use the chamber for his political campaign and network.

Speaking to this media house Arua resident city commissioner (RCC) Charles Ichogor said that it is true Debo had long ago expressed interest to contest as the parliamentary candidate for Arua central Division MP come 2026, however, it has jeopardised the activities of the chamber of commerce because most of the non NRM supporters have abandoned the chamber which is now a disservice to the community.

“Most community business persons affiliating to the chambers of commerce are now disgruntled, disorganised, lost trust in the chamber as it is being used by one political party for campaigns other than serving the real objective of the Uganda national chambers of commerce” said Ichogor Charles the Arua RCC.

He said that soon he will be consulting the president of the Uganda national chambers of commerce to guide in the next action because the Arua office needs to be closed until a new team is put in place.

He also pointed out that if the new team is elected, the Uganda national chambers of commerce would be called to carry out some orientations of the members on aims. Objectives, impartiality, non-partisan politics, community development, unity, patriotism and other goals for development other than using the office for political campaigns. Ichogor Charles pointed out.

 Meantime one of the disgruntled member of the Arua chamber of commerce whose names we may not mention here disclosed that currently members of the Debo campaign team have started going to the field asking the business community for money disguising as chamber fund yet they wear  Debo  Ronald T shirts , this according to the members perceive it as a collection for the NRM party to boaster Debo campaigns  something that is destroying the image of the chamber of commerce in Arua and west Nile region.

“We have deserted the chambers of commerce Arua, because we can not pay our subscription money to help NRM party yet we are from other parties, in office most members who enter it ask for their political candidate Debo other than the chairman chamber of commerce” said the disgruntled member in   Arua city.

Other chamber of commerce members from Arua in bitter voices sounded: – “We know the president of the Uganda national Chambers of Commerce Olive Kigongo and her background NRM party where Haji Kigongo is the top most national vice chairman but she (Olive Kigongo) has never been seen in yellow attire or campaigning for NRM party something that has kept her integrity, respect and helped her to unite all the business community in the country regardless of their political affiliations”.

 Draecado Trinity Ceaser, another unhappy member, told us that he and others have already opted for court redress in order to put right the chambers of commerce Arua branch.

“Arua chamber of commerce is in a total mess and some of us have sought for a judicial action at Arua high court to help put right the dark times the chamber is undergoing through” Said Draecado Trinity Ceaser.

He said that they are seeking the voting legality of the city members and those from outside the Arua city, then another ground is based independent of the chamber while the other are costs involved should court see the matters the way Draecados observed them.

We need sanity at Arua chamber of commerce, Draecado pointed out.

While for Jimmy Angubo a man who has served the chamber of commerce Arua branch for over 20 years said that the current office now turned into a political campaign arena where all members who enter day to day are only campaign agents for Debo but they do not go there for chamber businesses.

“I sat in the office for 30 minutes but all the people who were entering could ask for their political candidates so as they go and mobilise in their structures, while as when Debo goes out, he only uses the chamber network to preach his political campaign support but nothing is being spoken about the chamber business” Angubo told this new website.

He said that the Arua chamber of commerce has instead divided the business community and some Sudanese businessmen were robbed of 45m from Arua central market as the chamber of commerce watched.

Debo civil servant woes

Reports from Arua indicate that Debo Ronald is still a serving civil servant who by law is not supposed to carry out any political campaigns, something he is reportedly doing.

According to inside sources Debo works at Arua regional referral Hospital in the radiology unit a position he has not resigned from.

The source intimated to us that preparations to have him (Debo) appear in the courts of law over contravening the constitutional guidelines which requires a civil servant to resign before going to campaign for a political position regardless of at party level or national general elections.

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