Kolobe Antony is setting his sights on representing the people of Budiope West in Buyende district, and he’s doing so with the backing of the National Unity Platform (NUP). In an exclusive interview with Busoga Times, Kolobe shares his motivations, vision, and specific aspirations for the constituency as he embarks on his journey to become the next Member of Parliament. This conversation delves into his platform, his connection with the community, and what he believes he can bring to the table in service of Budiope West.
Who is Anthony Kolobe, the individual who wants to represent the good people of Budiope West in Buyende District in the 12th Parliament of Uganda?
Kolobe Antony, son of Samali Nguna and Peter Naika, hails from Ntaala village in Buyende District, specifically Ntaala parish within Buyanja Sub County and the Budiope West constituency, located in the Busoga region. He is a married father of five and holds a bachelor’s degree in education, working as a trained teacher. Beyond the classroom, he is a director of schools, a farmer, a businessman, and a volunteer with international organizations.
What sparked your desire to serve in this capacity as an MP?
I’m running for Parliament to be a strong voice for Buyende and Busoga, fighting for the improved services our community urgently needs. We’ve suffered from inadequate service delivery and persistent poverty, largely due to ineffective representation. I believe our biggest hurdle is the lack of leaders capable of articulating our issues and advocating for solutions in Parliament.
Just imagine: the day President Yoweri Museveni visited Bukungu, all the leaders did not table any problem affecting the district to him apart from praising him. Our MPs cannot stand firm and present our problems on the floor of parliament. As an elite and intelligent young man, I decided to contest. I am hopeful that I can change the rhythm.
Our leaders do not demand any share of the national cake. Just imagine in the budget of 2025/2026, Budiope West and Buyende at large are not mentioned anywhere. We have the poorest roads, like the Bukungu-Kamuli road, which is in poor condition. The promise to tarmac it has been on for long, but nothing is done.
Our leaders are so comfortable. We lack health centres. The greater Kidera has only two health units; that is, Kidera Health 4 and Bukungu. Buyanja sub-county lacks even a health centre. We lack seed schools. The greater Kidera has only one secondary school – Kidera SS. We are entitled to a seed school in each sub-county. All the feeder roads are impassable. All this sparked me to contest as a member of parliament.
How do your values and vision align with the National Unity Platform (NUP) ideology?
The National Unity Platform advocates for good service delivery, which I do. It advocates for peace and security, which I do. It advocates for the freedom of every Ugandan, which I do. It advocates for democracy, which I do. It advocates for transparency and accountability, which I do. It advocates for development, which I extremely do. I advocate for a corruption-free country, which my party does. It advocates for human rights, which it does. It advocates for employment opportunities, which all youth do. So my vision complies with the party’s ideologies.
How would you handle a situation where the interests of your party conflict with the interests of your constituents?
The interests of the National Unity Platform are highly embraced by my constituents. As we all know, my constituency is the most affected and least privileged. My constituency has achieved very little from this government for the last 39 years this government has been in power.
For the last 39 years, the Bukungu-Kamuli road has never been considered. For the last 39 years, our people have not been able to access the lake to fish. For the last 39 years, people have not even been allowed to catch mukene. In fact, people look at the lake as an in-law. Our sub-counties lack headquarters; some, like Kidera sub-county, lack where to put headquarters. Most sub-counties, like Buyanja, Kidera and Bukungu Town Council, lack seed schools.
Can you describe your previous experience in leadership and community service and how this experience has prepared you for the role of MP?
My leadership experience spans various levels, including successfully directing and managing schools, as I previously mentioned. Furthermore, I serve as a national coordinator for an international organization, a role I consider to be a significant leadership position. I believe this cumulative experience has sufficiently prepared and empowered me to effectively serve my community.
What do you perceive as the biggest challenges facing Budiope West?
Our community faces significant challenges, primarily stemming from inadequate public services and widespread unemployment. We struggle with poor infrastructure, including dilapidated roads, under-equipped and understaffed health centres with limited access to medicine, and schools lacking basic resources. Historically, fishing provided livelihoods for many, including those with only a primary school education.
However, government restrictions, specifically the military presence around our lakes, have decimated the fishing industry and left many without employment. This displacement, without adequate planning or alternative opportunities provided by the government, has severely impacted our community. These are the core issues hindering our progress.
What promises have been made to the people of Budiope West by previous leaders that have not been fulfilled? How would you address these unmet needs?
A lot of promises have been made, and they are being made even up to now. They promised to build hospitals, schools, health centres, piped water, electricity, good roads, prosperity and unity. But all these have not been achieved for the last 39 years. You can see a politician who cannot even run a nursery school promising to build schools, a person who is unemployed promising jobs, and a person who cannot start a clinic promising to build hospitals. I want to change this narrative.
What are your proposals for supporting farmers in Budiope West, improving agricultural productivity, and ensuring food security?
Our farmers need serious sensitization on how to do farming using modern farming methods. This can be achieved by starting farmers’ associations and cooperatives. The cooperatives can bring farmers together and share ideas on how to use modern farming methods.
The cooperatives can provide seeds and loans to its member farmers. Co-operatives can buy the harvests at a very good price. The leaders of the cooperatives can look for better markets for the harvests and organise workshops and seminars for the farmers.
In due course, the farmers shall develop skills and hence improve on the harvest and food security. Through cooperatives, farmers can also do cash crop growing like coffee and cotton.
If elected, what specific bills or motions would you prioritize in Parliament to benefit Budiope West?
As a Member of Parliament, the first bill I would propose aims to reinstate presidential term limits. The extended period of rule has fostered corruption within the leadership. Uganda’s fundamental challenge lies in the concept of a lifetime presidency. By implementing presidential term limits and facilitating a change in leadership, Uganda, including Budiope West, could benefit from new leadership and a more prosperous future.
How will you ensure transparency and accountability in your work as an MP?
As a key part of my parliamentary oversight duties, I commit to actively engaging with local government. This includes regular attendance at council meetings and careful scrutiny of their budgets to ensure government funding is used effectively and appropriately within our constituency. I will also be closely monitoring the civil service recruitment process at the district level to prevent corruption within the district service commission and protect our constituents from bribery.
Furthermore, I will resolutely oppose corruption within Parliament itself, specifically the practice of offering financial inducements to influence legislative decisions. Just as I have resisted attempts to bribe me from running for office, I will remain steadfast in my commitment to integrity and transparency in all my parliamentary actions.
What is your commitment to serving the people of Budiope West if elected?
I pledge to serve my constituents diligently and impartially, representing their interests in Parliament with honesty and integrity. I am committed to closely monitoring government programmes and remaining connected to the community to ensure their needs are heard and addressed effectively.
Wish you the best ever
You will make it
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