By Str8talk Chronicle political correspondant, Montreal, Canada, December 06, 2009

Love or loathe him, Robert Olet Egwea, the NRM parliamentary candidate for Kole County in Apac District, goes down the history books as the first Ugandan parliamentary candidate to hold a live Online Town Hall Meeting, not to shout campaign slogans or party mantra, but to strictly answer questions of national interests.

Indeed, Candidate Egwea proved that in his new career aspirations, he is able to catch a bullet instead of dodging it.

At 10 minutes to o7:00 pm GMT (London), 02:00 pm EST (Ottawa/Montreal) and 01:00 pm CST (Dallas), moderator Peter-Rhaina Gwokto based in Ottawa, Canada started the minute by minute count-down to the meeting. At 2 minutes to the hour, the moderator instructed the Town Hall to start entering questions.

Patriotic ordinary Ugandans across the world like Isaac Balamu, Otoa Tony Jr, Oryema Johnson and a host of many others wasted no time lobbing a salvo of questions to Robert Egwea.

In 50 minutes which was suddenly cut off by an error in the Moderator’s setup just as the discussion heated up, Candidate Egwea dealt with questions no Ugandan hears or has ever heard at a political campaign. Political campaigns in Uganda often give the candidates all the time there is to deliver their messages but never for the audience to ask the candidates questions.

“What motivates you to run as MP for Kole County in the next parliament? ”

“On your internet Face Book, you state that people’s mindsets needed to change in order to eliminate corruption and nepotism. When you get to parliament, how do you plan to change people’s mindset and why do you think you will resist temptations to which all of Uganda’s current politicians have been gullible?”

“You reiterated education. Why has the current education system in Uganda failed to produce skilled employees and employers?”

“Don’t you think it would have been better for you to join politics through another political party than through a party that has stalled democracy and equitable regional distribution of wealth for the last 24 years?”

“Robert, let’s be realistic. You know that NRM is the godfather of corruption and nepotism. Convince us it isn’t.”

“UPE and USE were never thought through before they were cast on the Ugandan population. Do you agree that the program has failed to deliver? Are you going to revive this already dead program or will you develop a new policy approach to implementing UPE/USE?”

“Why did you leave the socialist party for a party that talks socialism but practices capitalism?”

“Should Museveni rule for life as he has already made the country know? If yes, how does your NRM party justify his continuity amidst 24 years of documented history of scandals, corruption, and human rights abuses?”

“There have been more committees to probe corruption in Uganda starting from the junk choppers to CHOGM. Do you think these committees are a waste? How do we deal with this situation when the people involved walk scotch-free and still run the country?”

“We are seeing UPC divided and falling apart because of old wounds between Acholi and Langi. We have also seen a family-line digging in to make UPC a family affair. Do you think you can reconcile Acholi and Langi better than Olara Otunnu so that life goes on without revisiting the past when the going gets tough for a candidate?”

“A point of clarification. Who are these individuals and could the president be one of them?”

“You say opposition elements are misappropriating funds. Can you please elaborate on how the opposition elements are misappropriating funds they do not have access to? Or, are you referring to opposition elements within the NRM which Ugandans do not know of?”

“Robert, for years northern MPs have tried to voice the plight of the people but nothing ever materialises. How will you make this happen?”

“Do you think it is fair for Ugandans based abroad to show up and run for parliament to represent a people they have not been a part of?  Robert Egwea was certainly innundated by several other questions.”

In 50 minutes of discussion, Robert Egwea was precise and succinct. From the onset, Robert Egwea declared that he was representing his political aspirations and that his views were personal and not necessarily the views held by the NRM.

Candidate Robert Egwea, true to his convictions, answered every question without ducking and always using the opportunity to back his responses with the reality on the ground.

Robert Egwea proved how knowledgeable he is of the political, economic and social developments in Uganda. He also proved he understood the people of Kole County not simply by being a son of the soil but that he understood the neglect they have faced from parliamentary representatives for many years.

For Robert Egwea, it is time for Ugandans and the people of Kole County specifically to make amends and acknowledge that there is always a time for change. He emphasized that the time is now.

Robert Egwea stated that he strongly believed in the collective efforts of both government and the opposition to develop Uganda and to help Ugandans realize prosperity for all.

Str8talk Chronicles looks forward to receiving other candidates who would want to present their political platforms to Ugandans from all walks of life and wherever they may live. Str8talk Chronicle will shortly install the full version of the Live Chat program in order to eliminate the inconvenience of trial copies. Str8talk Chronicle promises to integrate live audio and video discussions in its future Online Town Hall meetings and encourages Ugandans to subscribe to  Skype. There is no doubt that never in Uganda’s political history has a candidate for president or Member of Parliament had to answer a series of relevant and challenging questions for a political office as Robert Egwea did. Str8talk wishes to thank all participants and looks forward to the next improved Online Town Hall Meeting.

For a full and complete pdf transcript of the Online Town Hall Meeting certified and approved by Robert Egwea, submit an order request to transcripts@str8talkchronicle.com. All transcripts are US $30.

Thousands of NRM party supporters across Lango region are today ecstatic following a decisive victory in the just concluded by-elections. They burst into raptures jubilation shortly after the electoral authorities declared most of their candidates winners, something that had never happened in Lango since 1986 when the National Resistance Movement (NRM) came to power.

However, Lango was not a walkover for the ruling party. In Lira a tough battle ensued between UPC and NRM especially in Adyel Division where UPC big shots camped for a week and their efforts bore fruits when Ekwang Cilodyang (UPC) was declared the winner.

In Railway Division a renowned journalist Richard Omara Awio (NRM) was declared winner as Councillor with over 768 votes while UPC candidate Ocen Odyek got 508 votes. Reports yet to be verified by the Electoral Commission have it that 5 out 8 council seats have been taken by NRM in Lira and that in Apac all the 8 positions were taken by NRM, with Ongom Odel comfortably sweeping the Town Councillor position.

In Dokolo 7 position were reportedly swept by NRM and only one position taken by FDC although UPC sources claim that the position for Dokolo Town Council Chairman was won by a UPC candidate.

In Oyam NRM lost 2 seats and retained 11 positions. Interestingly, the son of no-nonsense Oyam Chairman Col (Rtd) Okello Engola (NRM) contested for Oyam Town Councillor position under UPC ticket and tied with an FDC candidate. Oyam Town Council reportedly went to Anyuru Omodo, UPC.

Early reports from Amolatar, an NRM stronghold, indicate that the opposition did slightly better than the ruling NRM. Although NRM got only one out of 4 positions contested for during the by-election, Amolatar district firmly remains under NRM control.

Reacting to the news about NRM victory in Lango, Sam Engola, Lango’s NRM strongman and Lira District Chairperson told Lango Web that Langi have seen the truth and commitment of NRM to bring development to the region.

“That’s why 95% of Lango electorate voted for NRM in the just concluded by-election” Engola stressed. “People of Lango are tired of selfish politics; they now want development and the truth but not lies”, Engola added. He warned other parties against telling lies especially against President Museveni because Langi have now seen the truth, adding that Museveni shall get bigger votes in 2011.

A concerted drive to firmly establish NRM in Lango was launched in September 2008 when Minister Omara Atubo and NRM UK executive member Robert Olet Egwea inaugurated offices throughout Lango with the message of “Peace & Progress with NRM”. They appealed to the Langi to embrace government programmes and shun political dooms-preachers so as to catch up with the rest of the country in terms of development.

On the by-election results, Egwea, who was recently selected to represent NRM UK & Ireland Chapter in the forthcoming NRM National Executive Council meeting said: “This is good news for the people of Lango and Uganda at large. Our people have spoken loud and clear against the politics of intrigue, lies, hatred and divisionism. We are now ready to work closely with the NRM government so as to speed up the pace of recovery from 20 years of conflict”.

He also thanked all the people who campaigned hard for NRM in the region. According to NRM members on the ground, people who have been at the forefront of promoting NRM in Lango region include: Amolatar RDC Yeko Ongora Atwai, Presidential Advisor Levi Okodi Macpio, Oyam NRM Chairman Col (Rtd) Okello Engola Mac Odwogo, Apac NRM Chairman Richard Ogwang Odyero, Apac NRM Adminstrative Secretary Dennis Okello and many others.

Translated from Leb Lango

Jovino Akaki

(Rupiny, January 7, 2008) Although 2011 is still far away various politicians from Apac District are already warming up for the next general elections. Among them are Geoffrey Otim Malakwang (Apac sub-county), Geoffrey Obura, Robert Abak, Akaki Jovino, and Ogwang Benson Echonga of Uganda House – all eying the position of MP for Maruzi.

Betty Amongi MP

Betty Nam (LC 5 Alito), Jane Ogomarach (a teacher in Aduku SS) and Acan Ruth want to contest for Apac woman MP seat. Current Woman MP for Apac, Betty Amongi has said nobody knows her intention yet.

Others are Charles Ogang (LC 5 Akokoro) and Dicken Wacio Olak (Speaker) who are clandestinely campaigning in the grassroots for the position of LC5 Chairman Apac. Current Vice LC5 Chair of Apac Bob Okae and Apac NRM

David Ebong Abongo MP

Chairman Richard Ogwang also want the same post.

Meanwhile, youthful Felix Yine wants to become LC5 Counsillor for Apac Town Council.

However, Maruzi MP David Ebong Abongo has said that

Robert Olet Egwea

people eying his seat are wasting their time because they will lose badly at the next elections.

Geoffrey Eling (Radio Apac) wants to be Chairman LC 3 for Chawente and Tonny Ayo wants LC 5 Chawente.

In Kole County, Peter Ocen Akalo, Dickens Ogwang Okul and Robert Olet Egwea are waiting to replace the elderly John Ogwang Beridwogo MP.

John Ogwang Beridwogo MP

Current LC5 Chairman of Apac, Opio Bunga has declined to indicate his interest saying that 2011 is still far although several people have already

expressed interest in his post.

Quite often politicians campaign vigorously for positions but once they are elected they tend to cater for their stomachs only and forget about the peasants.

Bob Okae

Therefore, I want to advise Lango electorate to be vigilant during the forthcoming elections of 2011 without bias towards any party – NRM, UPC, FDC, CP and others.

First published in Rupiny on Wednesday, January 7, 2009

By Ronald Odongo in Lira

October 31, 2008

Leaders of Uganda Peoples Congress (UPC) party in Lira district were ecstatic when former Lords Resistance Army (LRA) rebel legal advisor and former National Resistance Movement (NRM) party stalwart, Chrispus Ayena Odongo, declared his defection to UPC party.

Chrispus Ayena Odongo who has been in the forefront of Juba peace talks between the LRA rebels and the Uganda peace talk declared his position early this year.

During a press briefing at the UPC party offices in Lira town, UPC Lira boss Daniel Okello told reporters that Mr.Ayena Odongo had received the party card and pledged to work very closely towards improving party’s support.

According to close political analyst Chrispus Ayena Odongo revealed that he is targeting to unseat Oyam district chairperson Rt.Col..Charlse Okello Engola (NRM) in 2011.

Ayena Odongo during 2006 election contested on NRM party ticket for Oyam North constituency parliamentary seat but lost to Ben Wacha (independent).

Daniel Okello says the party support is on the crease on daily basis arguing that they receiving convert every day.

He called other people who were disgruntled and contested on independent ticket to return to the party a head of 2011 general elections.

Martin Etuku, Moroto county Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) party chief has also defected to UPC party.

He claims he was not happy with is political affiliations during the time he has been in FDC.

Etuku assured UPC party authorities of total support in the grass root.

The ruling National Resistance Movement party is now firmly established in Lango, northern Uganda, a region that has been under the dominance of the Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) since independence.

Above: The people of Bala in Kole show support for NRM with Robert Egwea (in red tie) and Levi Okodi (in yellow tie)

This new development follows an intensive mobilisation drive spearheaded by Robert Olet Egwea, Executive member of NRM UK and Ireland Chapter and Hon Daniel Omara Atubo, Minister of Lands, Housing & Urban Development who officiated at the inauguration of NRM offices on behalf of the NRM Secretariat in all the five districts of Lango, namely Oyam, Lira, Apac, Dokolo and Amolatar.

Above: Col (Rtd) Okello Engola, Oyam NRM Chairman (in yellow t-shirt) and team welcome guests to Oyam with the “yellow,yellow” dance.

From September 4 to 6 2008 the team travelled to all Lango districts in an effort to educate and sensitise the people of Lango about the benefits of supporting NRMO and its policies. The team received a rapturous welcome throughout the region.

This is far different from the previous hostile environment that existed towards NRM as a party as many people in the region were supporters of UPC currently lead by Miria Obote.

Above: Hon Omara Atubo cuts the ribbon while innaugrating NRM office in Apac Town. From left: Richard Ogwang Odyero Apac NRM Chairman, Hon Omara Atubo, Robert Egwea, a local NRM official and  Denis Okello (Apac NRM Administrative Secretary)

Hon Omara Atubo and team were warmly received by NRM district and parish chairpersons, councilors, district officials, representatives of various interest groups including women, disabled and elders, and NRM activists.

Key party officials who received the team included: Levi Okodi (Presidential Advisor), Col (Rtd) Okello Engola (Oyam NRM Chairman), Sam Engola (Lira NRM Chairman), Richard Ogwang Odyero (Apac NRM Chairman), Joan Pacotoo (Lira RDC), Ruth Adupa (Dokolo RDC), Yeko Ongora Atwai (Amolatar RDC) and many others.

Above: A group photo infront of Dokolo NRM office. Seated from left: Hon Levi Okodi (Presidential Advisor), Mrs Ruth Adupa (Dokolo RDC), Sam Engola (Lira NRM Chairman, Hon Daniel Omara Atubo (Minister of Lands, Housing & Urban Development), Denis Okello (Apac NRM Administrative Secretary) and Robert Egwea (Executive Member NRM UK & Ireland Chapter)

By Ronald Odongo
Lira

Sam Engola (left) and Hon John Odit (right)

Lira District NRM chief and tycoon Sam Engola has embarked on a relentless campaign to unseat UPC strongman John Odit from Erute South Constituency in 2011 when the next general elections will be held. This may not go down well with UPC supporters around the country as they struggle to hold the ailing party together.

Engola, who lost to Jimmy Akena Obote during the 2006 general election in the bitterly contested Lira municipality parliamentary elections, has never won any election since Constituent Assembly elections held in 1994. But he remains upbeat and prophetically says this time he will go to parliament.

He publicly declared his interest to contest as Member of Parliament for Erute South in Lira district early this year. Currently Engola is featured in a live one hour radio talk show on Lira based Unity FM every Monday to Saturday morning.

The Erute South Member of Parliament John Odit was elected under UPC party ticket during the 2006 general election.

Reports within Lira district NRM party camp reveals that Engola is now attending all the fundraising events in every church in a bid to launch grassroots mobilization and capture the voters’ supports ahead of the general election come 2011.

Tonny Ogwang 43 a small village retailer in Onyakede, Amach Sub County says MP Odit rarely visits them.

Moses Ongwec, top mobiliser, confirmed that Engola has within some few months funded the constructions of about 20 different churches in all the sub counties in Erute south constituency.

He further disclosed that Engola is already getting support from other party members, including members of UPC, MP John Odit’s party.

Engola’s move has sparked off a serious war of words between top leaders of the UPC and a section of the UPC membership who are threatening never to rally behind Hon Odit in 2011. Dissatisfied UPC members have accused Hon Odit of not keeping his promise that he made during the last campaign.

On his part, Hon Odit recently accused Sam Engola of spreading false propaganda about him to the local people. He assured UPC party supporters in the area never to panic, and vowed to win elections again.

Sources with the UPC party in Lira district have revealed that UPC party leaders at Uganda House are planning for a huge rally which will be held in Erute South constituency in support of John Odit.

Early this week, Lira Municipality Member of Parliament Jimmy Akena Obote warned the local people against siding with and casting their votes to NRM party candidates during any elections.

Akena accused the current regime of looting Ugandan wealth without establishing any development to the country, allegation which Sam Egola downplayed and rubbished saying UPC party is probably dreaming of capturing power again.

Engola challenged that UPC had failed to lead this country twice and warned that they might not return to government again if they do not start practicing modern politics instead of feeding people on wild allegations against the government.

Currently about 200 NRM party mobilizers have been deployed in the four Sub Counties of Erute South constituency to carry out grassroots mobilization.

By Omara Geoffrey

Apac

Uganda People’s Congress party has criticised the indictment of Sudanese President Omar- el- Bashir by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and genocide in the war torn Darfur region.

In a press conference held on Monday in the UPC party branch offices in Apac, the UPC spokesperson Mr. Benson Ogwang Echonga said Bashir is not the only president in Africa that deserves being summoned by the ICC court based in Hague.

“I doubt the credibility and impartiality of this court, I think they are just bias or it is being politicized to suit the interest of some few people” said Ogwang.

There are some African presidents like Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, Yoweri Kaguta Museveni of Uganda, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki whose deeds are worst than that of  Omar El Bashir and international criminal court can not summon these dictatorial leaders. Why?” Ogwang asked.

So many people were killed in the North during the 20-year long insurgency and some killings were done by the UPDF which is the arm of government. He cited the Barlonyo incidents in Lira District were nearly 300 displace persons were killed under unclear circumstances.

“The same crime committed in Darfur Region was also done in Northern Uganda and the person responsible is the president of the country”, he added.

Close to 35,000 people are alleged to have died and more than two million people were displaced by the war in Darfur region.

By Ronald Odongo
Amuria

Supporters of Uganda People’s Congress in Amuria were today morning engaged in scuffles with the police who were deployed to block their rally.

Hundreds of heavily armed police officers were deployed at the district headquarters to disperse thousands of the UPC party supporters who had gathered to welcome their president Mama Miria Obote (right) at the party launch in the eastern region.

UPC party officials at Uganda House said that the rally is intended to launch the mobilization campaign a head of the 2011 general elections.

Amuria LC5 district chairperson, Julius Ocen, who was elected under the UPC party ticket, accused the minister of state for disaster preparedness and the area MP, Musa Ecweru of using the police to sabotage their activities in the district.

Julius Ocen who took the lead during the 30 minutes demonstration told the Spotlight that this is an abuse of multi-party democracy, which allows free operations of all political parties in this country.

He further stated that Musa Ecwero is looking at the party as a threat to the ruling National Resistance Movement party during 2011 election in the district.

The Amuria district police detective chief, Sam Omongole said the UPC had not been granted permission to stage their rally. He also dismissed the rumors that they acted upon the instruction of the disaster preparedness minister and the area Mp Musa Ecwero.

Sam Omongole urged other political parties to follow the laws of this country.

However the police gave finally gave them permission to stage their rally after a series of consultation with higher police authorities.

Musa Ecwero when contacted by the Spotlight said he was unable to comment since he was driving. The minister pledged to give his comments after two hours.

This the first attempt by the UPC party to officially launch in Teso sub-region and it would spread to other sub regions.

By Ronald Odongo
Lira

UPC party leaders in Lira are split over the new appointment of district chairperson and dismissal of spokesperson. The circumstances surrounding the dismissal of the UPC party spokesperson in Lango has attracted protests and criticism against the new party chief.

The controversy stems from the reports of dismissal of the Lira district UPC party spokesperson Micheal Ogwal Achonga (left) by the new district party chief Daniel Okello. Daniel Okello early last week announced a fresh dismissal of Mr.Ogwal Achonga, accusing him of misleading party stalwarts in the sub region by revealing party secrets to opponents and the media.

Some party leaders have said they would all dump party duties if Micheal Ogwal Achonga is not reinstated to his work by the new district party chief.

The rumours of Ogwal Achonga’s dismissal have been circulating within the sub region among top party leaders since the beginning of the year 2008. However Ogwal Achonga denies the rumors and maintains that he is still the UPC spokesperson for Lira.

Some political analyst say the alleged dismissal by the new district chief is based of who should talk on behalf of the party since it provides chance to get free popularity for 2011 election.

During the recent press conference organized by the new district chief Daniel Okello some reporters were assaulted and intimidated for allegedly siding with Michel Ogwal Achonga.

Patrict Omara a local radio reporter with Radio WA 89.8 Fm accused Daniel Okello of inviting him for a conference and later turning nasty against him as soon as he entered the party offices. Omara has vowed to report the matter to the police.

Three executive members of NRM UK & Ireland Chapter participated in a live radio talk show that was broadcast from London on Radio North 89.0 FM on Saturday July 5, 2008. The panellists were: Micro-finance specialist Dr Maxwell Adea, political scientist Geoffrey Odur Akaki and publicist Robert Olet Egwea. They were joined by Lira District NRM Chairman and prominent businessman Sam Engola, who was in London on a brief business trip.

The discussion that took nearly three hours due to the enormous interest generated by the eloquence of the panellists centred on Peace, Reconciliation, and Development Plan (PRDP) – the most recent NRM government initiative aimed at rebuilding the north after 20 years of conflict.

It was opened by Robert Egwea, who passed on greetings to the people of Lango from the Minister of State for Northern Uganda Hon David Wakikona and from Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development Hon Daniel Omara Atubo. He also thanked Radio North for hosting them, and Lango leaders for the work they are doing in rebuilding Lango, before introducing the other panellists. Then he explained what PRDP meant.

“It is a government plan aimed at ensuring peace, reconciliation and development in northern Uganda” he said and added that according to Hon Wakinona all districts were asked to submit project proposals and that they had done so. The people in charge of the funds at district level are LC5 Chairmen, who also sit on the monitoring committee headed by the Prime Minister’s office, he explained.

Egwea urged the people of Lango to put aside political, religious, clan and other differences and join hands with the government in rebuilding the region. He cautioned against lack of cooporation with the government as this would prolong the suffering of ordinary Langi because it would make it difficult for government to implement PRDP and other development plans.

“Lango now ranks as the 6^th least developed sub-region in Uganda partly due to bad relations with the NRM government as propagated by some opposition politicians who want to continue ‘eating’ in confusion”, he said.

Egwea added that NUSAF, a World-Bank-funded programme wasn’t very successful partly because some people appear to have deliberately misappropriated the funds to discredit the government. “People should be vigilant and not allow selfish fat cats to misuse public funds meant for development so that PRDP succeeds in improving the welfare of the people of northern Uganda”, he stressed.

Geoffrey Odur who introduced himself as a political scientist currently employed by a London local authority called on the people of Lango to be flexible in their approach towards the NRM government. He stressed the need to support the government in implementing PRDP.

Odur Akaki lamented that the history of Lango over the past 22 years has been that of protest against the government with the hope that somehow the NRM would be voted out of power and yet other Ugandans have continued voting for NRM in large numbers. Such negativity on the part of Lango has made it very difficult for the Langi to lobby government for development, he maintained. He appealed to the people of Lango to give the government a chance to implement the development plan.

Odur Akaki maintained that Lango is grossly under-developed and is currently ranked 6^th lowest developed region, and posed the following questions for people of lango; why are we under-developed? What/who is standing in the way for Lango development? When will we develop? Where will our development messiahs come from? How will we develop? He said the answer to these questions does not rest with one man but the people of Lango. And suggested we need to think uniformly and flexibly about the issues.

Sam Engola thanked the Langi in the diaspora for the enormous contributions they are making in developing Lango and Uganda at large through remittance, relief aid and some projects on the ground. He was particularly happy to see young and dynamic Langi in the diaspora embracing NRM, and assured listeners that the suffering in Lango would soon come to an end now that more people were willing to work with the government to ensure speedy development of the sub-region.

Asked by a caller why government has been selling off some factories to investors, Engola explained that it was because public enterprises had a history of inefficiency. He stressed that in a market economy private enterprise is more productive due to high level of efficiency and accountability.

Dr Adea, echoed the call for better relations between the people of Lango and the NRM government. He said that if we want the government to address our concerns effectively, let us approach them with respect.

On prosperity for all, another government programme aimed at alleviating poverty, Dr Adea explained that the NRM is prepared to improve household income by letting people, right from the grassroots, borrow money and pay back at minimal interest. Dr Adea also reminded the audience that oil had been discovered in Uganda and that oil revenue would make every Ugandan much better off in terms of wealth, thanks to the NRM government.

Several listeners called to ask various questions, one of which was directed at Robert Egwea to explain why he recently switched from UPC to NRM. Egwea answered that it was because he had realized that the UPC was no longer the progressive party that it used to be and that it was taking Ugandans nowhere.

He added that NRM is the only party that is in the position to ensure peace, security, development and prosperity for all. He maintained that given a chance, the NRM government would industrialise Uganda thus creating jobs for more people. Industries would generate more revenue for public services and thus help improve the standard of living of the people of Lango and Uganda at large, he said.

This was the first of a series of radio talk shows, initiated by Robert Egwea with support from NRM-UK and Ireland Chapter, aimed at interacting with the people of northern Uganda on key government initiatives and other issues affecting the region.