Agency
President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni has met with opposition leaders from Acholi, with both sides agreeing to put aside political differences and work together to tackle poverty and drive socio-economic transformation in the sub-region.
The meeting marked a turning point, as the Members of Parliament representing different political affiliations expressed their commitment to collaborating with the government for the betterment of Acholi.
During the meeting at State House, Entebbe, Museveni reflected on Uganda’s historical challenges, emphasizing that unity and a shared vision are essential for sustainable development.
The President emphasized the importance of unity over revenge, recalling how the collapse of Idi Amin’s regime in 1979 led to unfair targeting of West Nile people, forcing over half a million of them into exile in Congo and South Sudan.
On development, Museveni reiterated his government’s focus on addressing poverty through the Parish Development Model (PDM) but acknowledged the challenge of funding big parishes.
On education, the President emphasized the importance of affordable and accessible schooling, advocating for the establishment of seed secondary schools in every sub-county to ensure children can walk or cycle to school.
He added that the government is committed to strengthening Universal Primary and Secondary Education by increasing capitation grants.
The opposition leaders led by Okin Ojara, the Member of Parliament for Chua West County and a member of the Forum for Democratic Change (FDC), while presenting their memorandum, emphasized their commitment to putting aside political differences and working collectively for the betterment of the Acholi Sub-region.
Ojara revealed that 10 opposition MPs from Acholi have formed a platform dubbed ‘Operation Harmony’, a collective effort to put aside political differences and work towards the betterment of their people.
The leaders stressed the need for a robust Transitional Justice Framework to address the psychological scars left by past conflicts.
They proposed establishing a Mental Rehabilitation Center in the region, suggesting that the broken-down facility at Gulu Regional Hospital should be urgently rehabilitated.
The MPs also called for transparency in the ongoing war compensation process.
On healthcare and infrastructure, the memorandum called for upgrading Kitgum General Hospital to a Regional Referral Hospital and the establishment of new hospitals in Omoro and Amuru districts.
They also pushed for the rehabilitation of key roads to improve access to services and markets.
The MPs highlighted the need to implement Museveni’s strategy of boosting productivity by focusing on factors of production, knowledge, and markets. The leaders further commended the work being done at the Gulu Presidential Skilling Hub but requested more such centers across the region.
