Members of Parliament from the West Nile sub-region have elected new leadership for the 12th Parliament and renewed their demand for more ministerial positions in the next government, saying the region deserves a bigger share in national decision-making.
The legislators, who gathered at Parliament on Monday, elected Hassan Kaps Fungaroo as their new chairperson and Rose Obigah as vice chairperson.
The caucus also endorsed Obigah for the position of Deputy Speaker of Parliament, ahead of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) internal decision expected to determine the party’s official flagbearers for Speaker and Deputy Speaker elections.
West Nile previously produced former Speaker of Parliament the late Francis Ayume, and Obigah said she seeks to build on his legacy of leadership from the region.
“This is the work of the Lord, the Lord has seen my capacity and I know God is going to touch the President of Uganda to endorse me as the Deputy Speaker of the 12th Parliament… we were once in this position during the reign of the late Francis Ayume,” she said.
Fungaroo said the new leadership will push for a unified regional voice to secure a stronger presence in Cabinet, arguing that West Nile should be rewarded for its political support.
In the outgoing arrangement, the region held four state minister positions and the Second Deputy Prime Minister role, but MPs argue that their increased support for the ruling party warrants greater representation in the next Cabinet.
“Let the government in power think about the people of West Nile who are honest and good people… the President should consider West Nile to hold two good positions in his Cabinet,” Fungaroo said.
Isaac Otimgiw also said the region’s electoral contribution strengthens its claim for increased national appointments.
“We are the biggest caucus in northern Uganda… when it comes to dividing the national cake, it goes to those regions and we are here to put our voice forward because we voted wisely with close to 82% victory for the party,” he said.
West Nile comprises 42 Members of Parliament, who have resolved to speak with one voice in advocating for improved government services and stronger regional representation in national leadership structures.
