Date: March 14, 2025
A section of veteran politicians from the Acholi Sub-region has shared their views on the recent cooperation between some incumbent Acholi Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) and the government. This follows reports that a group of MPs, known for their previous strong stance against the government, have pledged to collaborate with President Yoweri Museveni’s administration after visiting him at State House Entebbe.
Since October 2024, 10 opposition MPs from the Acholi Sub-region have been engaged in discussions with senior government officials. These dialogues are purportedly aimed at addressing long-standing issues facing the region, including infrastructure gaps and inadequate social services. However, this move has sparked a wide range of reactions from political veterans in the Acholi Sub-region, with some offering their support, while others express reservations.
Zachary Olum, a former legislator and Chairperson of the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) in the Seventh Parliament, commended the MPs' approach, describing it as a sensible way to achieve tangible progress for the Acholi community. Olum, who served as the Nwoya County MP from 1996 to 2001 under the Democratic Party (DP) ticket, believes that the cooperation with the government will provide a platform to advocate for key issues such as infrastructural development and improved social services.
“If they can now reach the government and directly present the issues, I think it’s a significant development. I support the idea, and they should strongly represent the views of the people, urging the government to take concrete steps to address these concerns,” Olum said in an interview with Uganda Radio on Friday.
He also praised the government for taking the time to engage with the MPs, stating that dialogue is a crucial step in ensuring that both sides listen to each other and work toward mutually beneficial solutions.
“I believe it’s a good development that the government is finally listening to the issues. During our time in Parliament, we faced challenges with the government’s approach to ending the war, but we advocated for collaboration, and I see this as a similar step in the right direction,” he added.
Olum further noted that such initiatives should have been pursued earlier, especially when the Acholi Sub-region was severely affected by economic hardships during the years of conflict.
On the other hand, Prof. Morris Ogenga Latigo, the former Agago North MP and Leader of Opposition in the Eighth Parliament, expressed caution about the cooperation. He argued that while the collaboration might serve the self-interests of the MPs involved, it may not necessarily reflect the broader interests of the Acholi people.
“The cooperation between these MPs and the government doesn’t seem to represent the true needs of the Acholi community. Instead, it appears to be driven by personal interests rather than a genuine commitment to addressing the region’s challenges,” Latigo remarked, urging caution in the pursuit of political alliances.
This ongoing dialogue between Acholi opposition MPs and the government continues to divide opinion within the region, with supporters highlighting the potential for tangible development outcomes, while critics remain skeptical of the true motives behind the partnership.
As the situation unfolds, many are watching closely to see whether this new collaboration will indeed lead to meaningful improvements for the Acholi Sub-region, or if it will only serve as a political maneuver to further individual ambitions.
