Bugisu leaders decry marginalization in Government appointments
Leaders from the Bugisu sub-region have voiced their frustration over perceived marginalization in the allocation of government positions. The concerns were prominently highlighted during the “Imbalu” Inauguration ceremony held at Bumutoto cultural ground on Saturday.
Manjiya County Legislator and National Unity Platform Deputy President for the Eastern region, John Baptist Nambeshe, spoke out against the exclusion of Bugisu representatives from significant political appointments.
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Addressing the gathering and the guest of honor, he reminisced about a time when Bugisu was prominently recognized in government, citing former Speaker Wapakhabulo when Bugisu gained a role in government.
Nambeshe lamented that Bugisu now finds itself on the periphery of political participation, with only two ministerial appointments.
Florence Nambozo as Minister of State for Karamoja Affairs, and Dominic Mfwabi as State Minister for Older Persons in the Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development.
"Recently, the appointment of parliamentary committee chairpersons did not include even one Umumasaba, despite the majority MPS being from the ruling NRM. Not even one of us is a vice-chairperson, let alone a chairperson," Nambeshe stated, expressing deep frustration.
Nambeshe further highlighted the cultural and economic significance of circumcision, language, and Arabica coffee to the Bamasaba tribe, pointing out the Bugisu Cooperative Union (BCU) as a historical pillar.
He criticized the government's significant investment in a coffee processing factory in Ntungamo, Western Uganda, which has been granted an export monopoly for Ugandan coffee.
"This means that job opportunities will accompany all the coffee grown in this region to western Uganda yet.” Nambeshe said as he advocated for a similar investment in Bugisu under BCU, the only surviving cooperative in Uganda," he argued.
Adding to Nambeshe's concerns, Bungokho Central MP and Chairperson of the Bugisu Parliamentary Group, Richard Wanda, affirmed the lack of appointments for Bugisu MPs to head any parliamentary committees.
He revealed that this concern has already been formally lodged with the Speaker of Parliament. "We hope to address these issues with the president to emphasize the potential of our sons and daughters, though we appreciate the ministers he has appointed," Wanda said.
Wanda also acknowledged the president's financial support and the Prime Minister's key role in resolving organizational contradictions within the committee.
Dominic Mafabi Gidudu acknowledged Nambeshe’s concerns but challenged him to first thank the president for the given opportunities before asking for more.
This latest call for inclusion underscores the broader challenges of ensuring equitable representation and addressing regional grievances in Uganda's political landscape.
