Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti, the Member of Parliament for Kole North, has fiercely condemned the opposition National Unity Platform (NUP) and its Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, for their decision to boycott the forthcoming regional parliamentary sitting in Gulu.
This move, according to Dr. Acuti, not only threatens to undermine the economic progress of Northern Uganda but also raises questions about the true motives of the opposition party.
Addressing to journalists at Parliament, Dr. Samuel Opio Acuti expressed his deep concerns over the recent announcement by the National Unity Platform (NUP) to boycott the regional parliamentary sitting scheduled to take place in Gulu this month. The decision has sparked a backlash from legislators across the northern region, who see it as a deliberate attempt to hinder the economic growth and development of their communities.
Dr. Acuti didn’t mince words in his criticism, suggesting that the NUP might better be called the “Northern Uganda Persecutors” rather than the National Unity Platform. He accused the party of consistently acting against the interests of Northern Uganda, pointing to past instances where the opposition protested against initiatives beneficial to the region.
“I wonder whether the leading opposition party changed its name from National Unity Platform (NUP) to Northern Uganda Persecutors (NUP), which explains why the party announced the boycott of the regional parliamentary sitting slated to take place in Gulu this month,” Dr. Acuti remarked.
He went on to question the true role of the Leader of Opposition in Parliament, Joel Ssenyonyi.
“It made me wonder whether the word LOP means Leader of Opposition or Leader of Persecution for the people of Northern Uganda. Because this isn’t the first time this is happening; when the late Jacob Oulanyah was in the US seeking treatment, the same people went and protested, but when their own, including MPs, are out there, they haven’t complained about it,” Dr. Acuti argued.
Judith Alyek, another vocal MP from the region, echoed Dr. Acuti’s sentiments, challenging the opposition’s rationale behind the boycott. “Where is the wastage that the Leader of Opposition is talking about? This is Committees’ money, not his money, not even the Speaker’s money. It has been approved in the budget. So what is his problem? Is he jealousy with Northern Uganda? Let him tell us if he doesn’t want development in Northern Uganda,” she said, questioning the logic and motives behind the opposition’s stance.
The controversy over the boycott has highlighted deeper regional tensions and differing visions for the future of Northern Uganda. For Dr. Acuti and his colleagues, the parliamentary sitting in Gulu represents a crucial opportunity for economic engagement and regional development. However, for the opposition, it seems to be a matter of principle and prudent use of public funds.
As the date for the regional sitting approaches, all eyes will be on the unfolding political drama, which promises to be a litmus test for the relationship between the government and the opposition, as well as for the broader political landscape of Uganda.
