Minister Onek Backs Prof Ogenga- Latigo For APG Leadership

Prof Morris Ogenga-Latigo, the former Leader of Opposition in the 8^th Parliament has become the favourite to be elected as new Chairperson for Acholi Parliament Group (APG), a caucus which brings together Members of Parliament (MPs) from the Acholi sub region.

Prof Ogeng-Latigo on Friday expressed interest in the post while addressing a two-day meeting of political, religious and cultural leaders from the Acholi sub region that was held at St Monica Tailoring School in Gulu town.

Latigo sought the backing of the fellow MPs who were also attending the same meeting. He said he was willing to lead as the Chairperson of APG, drawing his experience as Leader of Opposition.

He noted that his style of leadership also once caught the eye of President Museveni who commended him for the good work he has done.

Latigo bounced back to Parliament as the MP for the new Agago North constituency in the February 18 parliamentary election.

The out-going Chairperson for the group Reagan Okumu, revealed on Friday during the meeting that they have already set a date for the elections for the new leadership.

Okumu announced the elections will be conducted on Tuesday next week in order to elect a new Chairperson and the Vice, Secretary General and a Treasurer of the group.

Okumu says as a rule, the person who be elected will not be a serving Minister so as to avoid biasness since he or she may lack neutrality due the principle of collective responsibility that binds ministers.

In an interview, Okumu who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Aswa County said members will also elect three other executive members who will serve on PRPD committee, land and investments committee and, oil and gas committee. He added that one person will also be elected as secretary for mobilization and will have a deputy.

According to Okumu, the executive committees will be charged with the responsibility of overseeing investments, infrastructural development such as power and roads among others in the sub region.

Eng Hillary Onek, the Disaster Minister designate who is also MP for Lamwo County in Lamwo district, Kilak South County MP, Gilbert Olanya, Polly Phillip Okin Ojara, the  and Amuru Woman MP, Lucy Akello all backed Prof Morris Ogenga-Latigo’s bid to become new Chairperson of Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG) describing him (Latigo) as the right man for the job.

Eng Onek says Latigo is an experienced politician who will work to unite MPs from the sub region.

Olanya and his Amuru counterpart Lucy Akello described Latigo as tolerant person who is will accommodate all the views. Olanya who served as General Secretary for the group in the 9^th Parliament noted that unlike the young leaders who hurriedly make conclusions, Latigo is an elder with a lot of experience.

There are 25 MPs from Acholi who are subscribe to APG.

In February this year, Democratic Party president Norbert Mao castigated MP from Acholi sub region for doing little to tackle problems facing the people they represent.

Mao, who was addressing a rally at Kaunda Grounds in Gulu Municipality 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, noted that the current lawmakers from Acholi sub-region can’t table before Parliament matters regarding land conflict, cattle compensation, veterans, poverty eradication and railway line.