Gen. Charles Otema Awany, the Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Reserve Forces, has blamed the Acholi Sub-region’s limited cabinet and ministerial appointments for what he described as disunity among political leaders. Gen Otema said although many people have accused the government of offering “little reward” to the region despite the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) performing well in the January elections, Acholi leaders themselves were responsible for the outcome.
Translation“I am hearing some complaints that the elections went well but the political rewards weren’t satisfactory,” Gen Otema said. “But what I want to tell you is that the problem came from you and the leaders in the Acholi Sub-region.” He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking at the burial of veteran broadcaster and peace advocate Johny Baptist Oryema, popularly known as Lacambel, at his home in Laliya-Ariaga Cell, Laroo-Pece Division in Gulu City.
According to Gen Otema, Acholi leaders had earlier been advised to sit together and agree on common interests and recommendations to present to the government before cabinet appointments were made. However, he alleged that disagreements and divisions among the leaders prevented them from reaching a unified position. He said the failure to present a common agenda ultimately weakened the region’s bargaining power and contributed to the limited appointments from Acholi.
Gen Otem criticized some leaders for complaining about certain families allegedly being favored for government positions while at the same time undermining others politically. “If the same household has been rewarded, isn’t it better that the number of leaders from Acholi has increased?” he asked. “My wife, who is the MP for Omoro, has educated more than 20 students, some of whom are now doctors and engineers. Are those all children of the Awany family?”
Gen Otema, who is expected to retire from the army later this year, called for greater unity among leaders in the sub-region, warning that continued divisions could cost Acholi more opportunities and government support.
In the recent cabinet reshuffle, President Yoweri Museveni appointed five ministers from the Acholi and Lango sub-regions, while two ministers from Acholi lost their positions. Those dropped were former Foreign Affairs Minister Henry Okello Oryem, who had served in cabinet since 2004, and Dr. Kenneth Omona, the former State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, who had held the office for two years.
Those who retained cabinet positions are Norbert Mao, the minister for Justice and Constitutional Affairs and MP for Laroo-Pece Division, and Eng. Hillary Onek, who was appointed Minister for General Duties in the Office of the Prime Minister.
Beatrice Anywar also retained her position as State Minister for Environment, while Lillian Aber remained state minister for Relief and Disaster Preparedness and Refugees in the OPM. Beatrice Akori was appointed State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation.
Bardege-Layibi Division legislator Martin Ojara Mapenduzi acknowledged that persistent internal fights among Acholi legislators have weakened their ability to advocate collectively for the region.
Mapenduzi said divisions among members had also crippled the once influential Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG), damaging both its working relationship and public image.
“There were a lot of fights,” Mapenduzi said. “You find one Member of Parliament leaving their own constituency and going to another area to fight a colleague. You find some MPs like Gilbert running from Amuru to come and fight in Bardege.” He revealed that during the NRM Kyankwanzi retreat in April, APG members were tasked with preparing a position paper to present to President Museveni. But the meeting meant to harmonize their views collapsed because of conflicting interests among the leaders.
The term of the APG executive expired in January following the general elections, and members are now preparing to elect a new chairperson. Outgoing Chairperson Anthony Akol, who has led the caucus since 2021, has announced that he will not seek re-election after what he described as a turbulent leadership period.
Former APG Secretary General Gilbert Olanya has since expressed interest in contesting for the chairmanship. But some members are pushing for a neutral candidate, accusing Olanya of being among legislators who formed a rival APG leadership in April 2024-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
