Honorable Catherine Achola, the Woman Member of Parliament for Pallisa District, recently brought a wave of optimism to the people of Olok Sub-county during an extensive inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Olok Road. This vital infrastructure project is not just about laying soil and grading paths; it represents a lifeline for the community that promises to slash the cost of travel, open up access to healthcare, and breathe new life into the local economy. During her visit on Friday, the legislator expressed her deep satisfaction with the quality of the work, noting that the expanded road is being built to high standards that ensure every shilling of public money is being spent wisely for the benefit of the taxpayers.
For too long, the people of Olok have been cut off from the heartbeat of Pallisa Town due to a crumbling road network that made simple journeys a nightmare. MP Achola highlighted the heavy financial burden placed on residents, noting that transport fares for a single motorcycle trip had doubled from 3,000 to 6,000 shillings as the road deteriorated. By fixing this route, the government is effectively putting money back into the pockets of the people. This sentiment was echoed by Denis Arikod, who leads the boda boda operators at Agule Stage. He explained that riders were never trying to exploit their neighbors; rather, they were forced to charge more to cover the constant mechanical failures and broken brake pads caused by the rugged terrain. He pointed out the staggering reality that travelers were paying more for a short eight-kilometer trip to Olok than they were for a much longer twenty-five-kilometer journey on smooth tarmac. With a better road, these costs will plummet and the risk of dangerous accidents will significantly decrease.
Beyond the immediate economic benefits, MP Achola called upon the community to take personal ownership of this new asset. She urged residents to be guardians of the road by preventing activities that lead to erosion, such as farming too close to the road reserves or obstructing drainage systems. In a move to ensure no one is left behind, she also directed the District Engineer to investigate extending the road further to reach the lakeshore, aiming to connect the Rarak community to the rest of the district and unlock even more potential for trade and travel.
However, the MP reminded the public that physical roads are only one part of the journey toward true development. Drawing on her professional experience as an educator, Achola shared her deep concern over the staggering school dropout rates in Pallisa. It is a sobering reality that less than ten percent of children who start primary school actually finish it. She described this as a major hurdle to the district’s growth and issued a passionate plea to parents to prioritize their children’s education. She emphasized that empty classrooms and frequent absenteeism are robbing the youth of their future and called for a renewed commitment to keeping children in school until they complete their studies.
As the community looks forward to the completion of these projects, James Peter Ekanya, a local coordinator for the MP, reminded residents that lasting change takes time. He encouraged the public to support their newly elected leaders and allow them the necessary space to implement their full vision. Sustainable growth is a partnership, and with the completion of the Olok Road and a focus on education, Pallisa is clearly on the path toward a more prosperous and connected future for all.