Leaders in the Bugisu sub-region have warned that persistent divisions among Members of Parliament are weakening the region’s ability to secure government support for key development priorities, with calls intensifying for a unified lobbying strategy.
The concerns were raised during a thanksgiving ceremony held on Saturday at Nakaloke Playground for Umaru Nangoli, the Northern City Division MP and Vice Chairperson of the Bugisu Parliamentary Caucus.
Godfrey Matembo Wakooli, the Butiru County MP and Chairperson of the caucus, said fragmentation among Bugisu legislators has repeatedly undermined efforts to present a common development agenda to central government.
“Bugisu has many demands that we must continuously present to government, but lack of unity among leaders has previously made it difficult to push a single agenda,” Wakooli said.
He said the region risks continued marginalisation in national planning and resource allocation unless MPs adopt a coordinated approach.
Wakooli pledged to rally all 25 Members of Parliament from Bugisu, together with three ex-officio members of the caucus, into a structured framework aimed at harmonising regional priorities.
Umaru Nangoli, who serves as Vice Chairperson of the caucus, also acknowledged the challenge of internal divisions, saying efforts were underway to strengthen cohesion among Bugisu legislators.
“I will ensure that all 25 Members of Parliament and the three ex-officials from Bugisu speak with one voice as we engage government on development issues affecting our people,” Nangoli said.
He also used the occasion to thank voters in Northern City Division, pledging to prioritise implementation of government programmes, including the ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) manifesto.
Religious leaders at the function echoed concerns over disunity among regional leaders.
The Mufti of Uganda, Sheikh Shaban Ramadhan Mubaje, cautioned against excessive pressure on legislators, saying it could affect their effectiveness in delivering services.
The Bishop of Mbale Diocese, Rt. Rev. John Wilson Nandaah, urged Bugisu MPs to set aside political and personal differences, warning that internal divisions have long slowed down development in the region.
“The main challenge facing Bugisu is leadership disunity. Even the President has previously expressed concern about this issue and called for change so the region can fully benefit from national development programmes,” Nandaah said.
Bugisu leaders have for years struggled to present a unified position on key priorities such as infrastructure, agriculture, and social services, a situation analysts say has reduced the region’s influence in national budget negotiations.
The renewed appeals for cohesion come amid growing emphasis on parliamentary caucuses as influential lobbying blocs in determining government resource allocation and development focus areas.