The Bunyoro parliamentary caucus is in the final stages of developing a regional agenda aimed at guiding legislators in pushing government to fulfil long-standing commitments to the region.
The lawmakers say failure by previous legislators to work together weakened Bunyoro’s ability to demand key government interventions, with MPs often focusing on individual constituency interests.
Among the priorities on the proposed agenda are the operationalisation of Bunyoro University, affirmative action on land matters, including support for affordable land titles, and ensuring local communities benefit from oil and gas developments.
The caucus also intends to push for increased participation of Bunyoro residents in major projects, including oil and gas developments and other national programmes.
Bunyoro Parliamentary Caucus publicity secretary and Hoima City West MP Ismail Kasule said the region lost out in the previous parliamentary term because leaders pursued separate interests instead of a common agenda.
“The previous Parliament prioritised working in silos, and that is why they may have failed to achieve a number of demands for the region. Many focused on their constituencies and individual issues rather than regional concerns,” Kasule said.
Kasule, together with Hoima City Woman MP Nyakato Asinansi, said they are finalising the document that will be adopted by all Bunyoro MPs regardless of political affiliation.
Nyakato said one of the major priorities will be pushing government to establish Bunyoro University, a demand she said has existed since independence.
“Since Uganda got independence, we have been pushing for Bunyoro University, but it has never come. We want to push government to have a motion brought to Parliament which we shall all support so that construction starts,” she said.
Kasule said the region now wants action rather than repeated promises.
“This time, we don’t want words, rather we want words backed by action. We need to see construction start so that our sons and daughters can get good education from here,” he said.
Other legislators, including Buhaguzi MP Francis Kazini and Bujenje County MP Kenneth Kiiza Nyendwoha, said presenting regional concerns collectively would attract more national attention than individual approaches.
“Our interest now is to make our agenda, formalise it, then set out to push it jointly without minding the constituency. There is no water, roads are still lacking in districts, and health centres are still needed. These are things we can achieve if we work as a team,” Nyendwoha said.
Bunyoro has 28 Members of Parliament, with only two representing the opposition while the rest belong to the ruling National Resistance Movement.
Kasule said the caucus intends to prioritise regional development over political differences.
“What we have all agreed on is unity. We will put the Bunyoro agenda first. Those of us in the opposition will work with our colleagues in NRM to ensure that the region benefits. People do not want fights; they want services,” he said.
The caucus says the finalised agenda will form the basis of its engagement with government as it seeks to address development challenges affecting Bunyoro.
