By KT Reporter
Kitgum Municipality member of parliament, Denis Onekalit Amere has defended his decision to distribute basins and soap to expectant mothers, an initiative that has sparked debate among voters and critics. Amere, who is seeking re-election, has, during his current term, donated thousands of basins and bars of soap to pregnant women in his constituency.
Some members of the public argue that such welfare-based donations reflect a growing trend of MPs shifting away from legislative duties toward handouts aimed at securing votes. This concern was echoed in a 2020 report by the Alliance for Finance Monitoring, which noted that many MPs initiate community projects immediately after elections to pave the way for future campaigns.
The organization warned that such practices could worsen political corruption and manipulate voter choices. Campaigning at Latiti Cell in Pager Division on Wednesday evening, Amere dismissed the criticism, insisting his donations were motivated by concern for maternal health.
“I told you that when I win the elections, you should focus on producing children because I will take care of them,” Amere told supporters. “The population of Acholi increased by 11,700. Those are mothers who came to my office for basins and soap. You don’t insult what helps a mother, however small it is.” He added that each basin costs 15,000 shillings and each bar of soap 5,000 shillings, amounting to roughly 20,000 shillings per mother, totaling more than 200 million shillings. “Is that not work? Isn’t that support?” he asked.
At the same event, Amere addressed land security, a structural issue he says threatens the future of his community. Citing persistent reports of land grabbing and purchases in the Acholi sub-region, he urged constituents, especially landowners, to take advantage of the national push for land registration. “Land does not multiply, but people do. If you play with your land, then tomorrow you will be a squatter, or a tenant on a land you once called your father’s,” Amere stated.
He highlighted growing cases of land acquisition by migrant cattle keepers: “Right now, cattle keepers are buying all the vast land while we move to town. In less than ten years, we may become their laborers.” Land disputes and encroachment have long been concerns in the Acholi sub-region, where much of the land remains customary and undocumented, leaving communities vulnerable to exploitation.
Amere also urged voters to retain opposition leaders in Parliament, emphasizing their role in checking government power: “We are the brake of the government. If the government is doing something bad, we are the ones who tell them to stop. For any town in Uganda to develop, the opposition must be at the center. Gulu was developed because most leaders were in opposition. Look at areas that vote NRM only, like Lamwo and Pader. Do you not see the contrast?”
The MP highlighted his extensive political experience, noting that this is the 20th time he has contested for elective leadership. “The only time I failed in 2016 was because we weren’t at the tally center,” he said. He further noted that he is among only five Acholi who have served as Makerere University Guild President.
“When I was guild president, I was leading 65,000 students, professors, PhD holders, and master’s students. To lead them, you must have the mental and emotional ability,” he said. Residents offered mixed reactions. Christine Akumu of Ayul welcomed the basin kits, saying they ease financial burdens for expectant mothers, but emphasized the need for better health services.
“The soap helps for a few days, but we also need more drugs and adequate health workers,” she said. Christopher Oryem questioned the timing of such donations: “The items are good, but they are not developed. We see MPs give items and disappear until the next election season.”
On land matters, locals broadly supported the call for registration but urged government offices to simplify the process. Patrick Latim of West Land B commended Amere for raising awareness, but added, “Officials at the district land offices should educate people on land registration procedures. Many are clueless.”
Mary Adong, a widow from Labongo Layamo, called for affordable and easy-to-follow procedures: “Registering land is good because many people take advantage of the poor. But the process is expensive and confusing. They should make it cheap and easy.”
Amere faces stiff competition in the 2026 elections. His challengers include State Minister for Water and Environment Beatrice Atim Anywar (NRM), independent candidate Richard Okello Rambo, Gloria Lamara (PFF), and Tonny Olanya Olenge (UPC).
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