Lango leaders have petitioned Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja to intervene in addressing gaps in healthcare, education, electricity access and infrastructure development in the sub-region.
The concerns were raised during thanksgiving prayers held at the home area of State Minister for Relief, Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Sam Engola in Erute South County, Lira District, where leaders gathered to celebrate his appointment to Cabinet.
Lira District Woman Member of Parliament Linda Agnes Auma told the Prime Minister that residents of Erute South continue to lack a government health centre despite a policy requiring every sub-county to have one.
“The only health facility we have is at the extreme end bordering Alebtong District. The communities here have already offered land and are only waiting for government intervention,” Auma said.
She also said the area lacks a government secondary school, although residents have already secured land for its construction.
Auma further asked government to extend electricity to communities near Lira City that remain off the national grid.
“People here are near the city, but they do not have electricity. We ask government to help us push the Ministry of Energy to bring power to this area,” she said.
The status of Akii-Bua Stadium, which is under construction in Lira City, was also raised during the event, with leaders expressing concern over reports that the facility could be used only as a training venue during the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Ajuri County MP Fred Ebil Jalemeso said the people of Lango supported the project with the expectation that the stadium would host AFCON matches.
“The issue of Akii-Bua Stadium hosting AFCON is giving us sleepless nights. The people of Lango supported this project on the understanding that it would host AFCON matches,” Jalemeso said.
He also questioned delays in upgrading roads connecting to the stadium, warning that poor access infrastructure could affect its readiness to host major events.
Oyam South MP Patrick Ogwang Obura called for increased government funding for livestock restocking programmes, saying the current allocations were insufficient to meet the needs of beneficiaries.
Responding to the concerns, Nabbanja said she had attended the ceremony on behalf of President Yoweri Museveni and pledged to follow up on issues raised by the leaders.
She acknowledged concerns related to roads, livestock restocking, drought, the proposed expansion of Lira Airfield and preparations for AFCON.
“Those issues that cannot be answered immediately will be taken to the President so that he can guide us accordingly,” Nabbanja said.
The Prime Minister also revealed that government had cancelled a contract for the construction of a parish facility after discovering irregularities in its implementation.
She said the contractor had received Shs1 billion but failed to deliver the project, prompting government to terminate the contract and recover the funds.
“The contract was cancelled and the money recovered. We are now seeking approval so that the UPDF Engineering Brigade can undertake the construction works,” Nabbanja said.
During the ceremony, Nabbanja also praised Engola for supporting her during the 2010 NRM internal elections, saying she had not forgotten the assistance he offered her at the time.
The thanksgiving ceremony, attended by ministers, Members of Parliament, district leaders and religious leaders, provided a platform for Lango leaders to lobby government for faster implementation of development projects as the region seeks improved access to social services and greater benefits from the completion of Akii-Bua Stadium.
