Prof Morris Ogenga- Latigo, the Member of Parliament for the new Aruu North constituency in Agago district has been elected unopposed as Chairperson of the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG).
Latigo replaces Aswa County MP Reagan Okumu as the Chair of APG, an umbrella body for members of parliament from Acholi.
Since May, the group had failed to elect new leaders due to numerous court cases challenging the elections victory of at least five of its 25 members. Most of the members won the cases against them except Aruu North Member of Parliament Lucy Achiro whose election was nullified.
Latigo was elected today during a meeting held on Wednesday at Parliament. Thirteen of the 24 MPs from Acholi unanimously agreed that Ogenga- Latigo is the right man for the job after Samuel Odonga-Otto, the Aruu County legislator proposed his (Latigo’s) name.
Latigo has been described by his fellow legislator as mature, experienced and accommodative politician who will steer the group out the challenges that it been facing especially in the 9th Parliament.
Latigo (FDC), was Leader of the Opposition in the 8th Parliament, late last month, he had expressed interest in the position two months ago.
MPs Hillary Onek (Lamwo County), Gilbert Olanya (Kilak South County), Polly Phillip Okin Ojara (Chua East) and Lucy Akello (Amuru Woman MP), all backed Prof Latigo’s bid, describing him as the right man for the job.
Latigo had also earlier received the backing of DP president Norbert Mao.
APG members also elected three other executive members who will serve on the national Peace, Recovery and Development Plan for Northern Uganda (PRDP) committee.
PRDP was launched by government at the end of the two-decade LRA rebellion to address post conflict needs of northern Uganda and other poorer parts of the country.
In his acceptance speech, Latigo called for unity among the members after a bitter elections period. He also promised to restore hope in the heart of the Acholi community who have faulted their leaders for failure to bring their problem to attention of government.
Latigo will be deputized by Lily Adong, the Nwoya Woman MP.
Other newly elected members are; Molly Lanyero, the Lamwo Woman MP, as the Treasurer, MP Gilbert Olanya who maintained his position as the General Secretary and Oscar Omony Otema, the Youth MP for Northern region who became the new secretary for Mobilization and Publicity.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament who also doubles as MP for Omoro County in the new Omoro District, Jacob Oulanyah was elected as the patron of the group.
