Reagan Okumu, the Chairperson Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) has said he will not seek for another term in office once his current tenure expires.
Addressing a meeting organised by religious and cultural leaders in Comboni Animation Center, Bar- Dege division, Gulu Municipality on Monday, Okumu said he wants to see new leaders take over office shortly after swearing in ceremony in May this year.
Okumu said by June, he expects that all positions in APG should have been filled and the new officials ready for work.
Okumu who was re-elected on an independent ticket to represent Aswa County in Gulu district cited the reason for not seeking reelection for the APG top position as increased responsibilities in FDC.
Okumu explained that he will no longer be able to perform APG because of increased responsibilities in FDC.
He said he had decided to pass on the button of leadership to a new set of leaders as he concentrates party work.
The legislator admitted he faced numerous challenges during his time as APG Chairman. He attributed the challenges to political differences, lack of unity among APG members and external pressure.
The Agago Woman MP, Franka Judith Akello, also a member of APG criticized the group saying they failed to perform in the 9th Parliament.
Akello said that unlike in the 8th Parliament, members were individually lobbying donations for personal gains but not for Acholi.
She added that the new executive should work beyond their personal and political differences.
Recently, Samuel Odonga Otto, the Aruu County Member of Parliament claimed he had quite APG on grounds that some members report whatever is discussed under the umbrella body to State House.
The MP also said some of the members especially from the ruling NRM party always snub APG meetings.
Gilbert Olanya, the Kilak MP who is also the General Secretary of the group noted with concern that APG is undergoing a test saying that for close to a year, they have not been able to hold any single meeting. He said this was a clear sign of dissatisfaction with the leadership of Reagan Okumu.
In February this year, Norbert Mao, the Democratic Party president castigated MPs from Acholi sub- for doing little to tackle problems facing the people they represent.
Mao said the MPs have failed to bring the challenges affecting the sub-region to the attention of government even when they have the opportunity in Parliament.
Mao, who once served as chairperson of APG, observed that current lawmakers from Acholi sub-region have not been able to table before Parliament matters regarding land conflict, oil, cattle compensation, veterans, poverty eradication and railway line.
The two-time Gulu Municipality legislator in the 6th and 7th Parliament, welcomed the election of Agago County MP Prof Morris Ogenga Latigo, a former leader of Opposition in the 8th Parliament, saying the sub-region could benefit from his good sense of leadership. He said Prof Ogenga could help to revive the APG.
APG which draws 25 members from Acholi sub-region was formed in 1989, as a “solid force” to engage the government to respond to the needs of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP), who were affected by Joseph Kony’s Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) rebellion.
APG gained momentum and the war became known in global circles, drawing attention from the international community for emergency help.
