Inside the State House-Lango MPs meeting and the embarrassment showcased

A State House meeting on February 19, in which Lango Members of Parliament (both outgoing and incoming) met with President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, had a blend of exciting and awkward moments.

In that meeting, Otuke district woman MP Susan Abeja accused her constituency colleagues: Paul Omara (Otuke County) and Julius Acon Bua (Otuke East), of failing to support her during the recent elections.

Abeja alleged that MP Paul Omara supported Grace Abote, the opposition Uganda People’s Congress (UPC) candidate who challenged her for the Otuke district woman representative seat.

She further stated that the Otuke MPs had misled the local community by telling them that the President had given her shs4 billion for her campaign.

According to MP Abeja, her colleagues were jealous of her coffee-growing projects and were actively working against her across the district, despite both comfortably winning their own seats.

Otuke County MP Paul firmly denied the allegations of supporting a UPC candidate. He dismissed Abeja’s claims, stating, “This shows that Hon. Abeja lacks emotional intelligence. We came here not to mention names but to discuss the matters affecting the people of Lango.”

Omara also told the President: “I have a lot to say about the recent election, but this is not the right forum.”

In a separate matter raised during the meeting, it was noted that a tractor provided to the Otuke district through the lobbying efforts of MPs Acon and Abeja is now being hired out to farmers for shs100,000 per day.

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MP Acon noted that since the tractor was donated for the people of Otuke, it is currently not benefiting the intended beneficiaries because the woman MP is allegedly keeping it at her home.

The Lango MPs and the President were shocked by these accusations. It was unnecessary for such a meeting, an MP said.

Meanwhile, MP Acon raised the matter of dividing Gotowang parish in Olilim sub-county into two due to its high population, noting that it currently comprises over 22 villages.

In response, the President said the government would construct a new government-aided primary school and a health centre to improve service delivery for the people there.

The President expressed gratitude to the MPs and the people of Lango for what he described as a landslide victory for the NRM, noting it as the party’s strongest performance in the region since 1996.

Reflecting on Uganda’s political history, President Museveni cited past leaders such as Milton Obote, Edward Mutesa II, and John Kakonge, who rose to leadership at a young age but later lost their way.

“The country was in their hands, but because they went into tribalism and religion, they lost it,” he said. He noted that divisions rooted in tribalism and religion weaken national cohesion.

Citing biblical principles, President Museveni emphasised reconciliation and inclusiveness. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven,” he said, urging party members to safeguard unity.

He reiterated that when the NRM came to power, its core mission was to unite all Ugandans and eliminate sectarianism.

Museveni encouraged the legislators to work closely with the people and prioritise pro-people programs aimed at improving household incomes and livelihoods.

He stressed that government initiatives such as the Parish Development Model (PDM), Emyooga, and other wealth-creation interventions must effectively reach every household.

He also underscored the need to strengthen service delivery in areas such as healthcare and roads for development.

Speaking on behalf of the legislators, Denis Hamson Obua, the Ajuri County MP who also serves as the NRM Vice Chairperson for Northern Uganda, thanked the President for convening the meeting and for his leadership.

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The MPs acknowledged the NRM government’s development footprint in the sub-region, noting visible progress in infrastructure and the positive impact of programs like the Parish Development Model on the livelihoods of many households.

Obua emphasised the need to strengthen the fight against corruption and ensure the effective implementation of government programs.

He also praised the President for promoting unity and discipline within the party and called upon leaders at all levels to emulate his example.