STAKEHOLDERS CONCERNED OVER WEST NILE PARLIAMENTARY CAUCUS PERFORMANCE

By Sabir Musa

Arua

Different stakeholders in West Nile have challenged the leadership of West Nile Parliamentary Caucus to focus on improving relation among its members in order to jointly address West Nile issues at national level. This call follows concerns over poor performance of the caucus which is attributed to disunity as many of the members now focus on individually addressing issues from their own areas of representation in parliament with no attention given to the region as a caucus.

The Executive Director of West Nile Development Association, Moses Akuma Odims, notes that, the disunity among some members of the caucus has negative impact on development of the region. “By the fact that we have almost 34 Members of Parliament who come from the same political party, that is a very strong uniting aspect. So it beats ones understanding why members of parliament cannot unite and cannot work together. If they don’t now work for the region, let them agree to work for the party that they represent and indirectly that will impact on the lives of people in the region,” the ED stated.

The stakeholders also propose that caucuses should be formed and strengthened at sub-regional levels within West Nile in the time when West Nile Parliamentary Caucus is not able to perform, these according to the proposal include Madi sub-region, greater Nebbi sub-region and greater Arua sub-regions.

The Local Government Engagement Specialist at VNG International, Fred Bada says, there is need to have a platform for members of the caucus to identify challenges and generate ideas of improvement. “We come-in to provide platform that can bring all our leaders together. I know the beginning will be tough but as the saying goes that move with those who are ready to move. So we would like (as VNG) to have more engagement of our leaders” Bada said.

West Nile Region Government Whip, Jackson Atima, who is also the Member of Parliament for Arua Central Division reveals that there was poor transition from moments before formation of the caucus, when his office helped in coordination. “Instead of the caucus leadership picking from where my actions left as Regional Whip and incorporating me to work with them in the executive and we plan together, is where they a little astray and started doing things without involving me and not involving everybody with minimum intervention” Atima regrets.

Lower Madi-Okollo Constituency Member of Parliament, Ronald Afidra advise that, the caucus leaders should convene meeting to conduct election as term of the current leaders has expired. “Calling on the entire West Nile for meetings has been a challenge by the leadership because people would say what do I go there for and the leadership issues have been there at the helm. Secondly, our leaders needed to embrace the leadership skill in our diversity, we should really be focusing on what could join us together” the MP advised.

Efforts to get a comment from West Nile Parliamentary Caucus Chairperson, Songa Lawrence was not successful.
After every 2 and half years, the caucus is supposed to conduct election for its leaders, but this has delayed for unclear reasons.

COVER PHOTO: Lower Madi-Okollo Constituency Member of Parliament, Ronald Afidra speaking to Radio Pacis in an interview. By Sabir Musa