The Parish Priest of Holy Rosary Parish, Rev. Fr. Justine Eric Uma, has challenged new ministers from the Acholi to prioritize service delivery. He equally wants them to address the long-standing development challenges facing Northern Uganda. Speaking to Uganda Radio Network (URN) on Tuesday, Fr. Uma said that while he had hoped for more influential ministerial appointments from the Acholi, the focus should shift to performance and delivering tangible results for the people.
“Looking at the past election, I expected better appointments and more senior ministerial positions for the Acholi Sub-region. But all the same, we are grateful. What is more important now is that they deliver,” Fr. Uma said. His remarks come in the wake of President Yoweri Museveni’s recent cabinet reshuffle, which saw several leaders from the region either retain their positions, assume new roles, or exit government.
Among those who retained their cabinet ministerial positions are Norbert Mao, the Luro-Pecë Division Member of Parliament. Mao, who had hoped to become the Speaker of the 12th Parliament, was retained as Minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs. While Hillary Obaloker Onek was redeployed as Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Lillian Aber also retained her position as State Minister for Disaster Preparedness, Relief and Refugees, and Beatrice Anywar, who remains State Minister for Water and Environment. Meanwhile, Beatrice Akori was appointed State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, replacing Kenneth Omona, who has served in the position for the past two years.
Former Chua County MP, Henry Okello Oryem, was dropped from the Cabinet after serving in government since 2004. Fr. Uma said the ministers must use their positions to advocate for improved infrastructure, education, and economic opportunities across the region.
“There are many areas where they should deliver. Infrastructure is critical. Roads outside the city remain in poor condition. Roads in districts such as Agago, Pader, and parts of Gulu are in a deplorable state and require urgent government attention,” he said. The priest also expressed concern over declining education standards in Northern Uganda and urged leaders to champion reforms aimed at improving learning outcomes.
He further called on ministers to engage the government on taxation policies and access to affordable credit, arguing that high taxes and commercial lending rates continue to discourage entrepreneurship and slow economic recovery.
Addressing the appointment of Beatrice Akori as State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, Fr. Uma urged her to prioritize the resolution of land disputes, particularly those involving Balaalo cattle keepers, which have generated tensions in parts of Northern Uganda.
“The issue of the Balaalo must be settled once and for all. Those who lost land through fraudulent transactions involving customary land should be compensated. Poverty pushed many people into selling land that was never supposed to be sold,” he said. In an earlier interview with URN, outgoing State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation Kenneth Omona defended his two-year tenure, describing it as “an incredible two years of service.”
Omona, who was appointed in 2024, noted that he assumed office at a time when the region was grappling with significant security, environmental, and economic challenges. Similarly, Henry Okello Oryem, the outgoing State Minister for Foreign Affairs, expressed disappointment at being dropped from Cabinet.
However, he praised President Museveni for repeatedly entrusting him with ministerial responsibilities over the years, having served in the same docket since 2004-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
