Gen. Charles Otema Awany, the Commander of the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) Reserve Forces, has blamed the Acholi Sub-region’s limited cabinet and ministerial appointments for what he described as disunity among political leaders.
Gen Otema says although many people have accused the government of offering “little reward” to the region despite the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) performing well in the January elections, Acholi leaders themselves were responsible for the outcome.
He made the remarks on Saturday while speaking at the burial of veteran broadcaster and peace advocate Johny Baptist Oryema, popularly known as Lacambel, at his home in Laliya-Ariaga Cell, Laroo-Pece Division in Gulu City.
According to Gen Otema, Acholi leaders had earlier been advised to sit together and agree on common interests and recommendations to present to the government before cabinet appointments were made.
However, he alleges that disagreements and divisions among the leaders prevented them from reaching a unified position.
He says the failure to present a common agenda ultimately weakened the region’s bargaining power and contributed to the limited appointments from Acholi.
In the recent cabinet reshuffle, President Yoweri Museveni appointed five ministers from the Acholi and Lango sub-regions, while two ministers from Acholi lost their positions.
Those dropped were former Foreign Affairs Minister Henry Okello Oryem, who had served in cabinet since 2004, and Dr. Kenneth Omona, the former State Minister for Northern Uganda Rehabilitation, who had held the office for two years.
By URN
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