Kilak North Member of Parliament Anthony Akol has raised objections to the recent election of the new chairperson and executive members of the Acholi Parliamentary Group (APG), labeling the process as unauthorized. Akol, who has served as the APG chairperson since July 2021, asserts that the new leadership of APG assumed their positions without the consent of the majority of legislators.
The controversy arises nearly five days after a 15-member executive committee of APG was introduced by the new Secretary General, also Kilak South legislator Gilbert Olanya. Among the appointed members are Amos John Okot, the Agago North legislator purportedly elected as the new APG Chairperson, alongside his vice, Betty Aol Ocan, the Gulu City Woman Legislator. Denis Onekalit Amere, the Kitgum Municipality legislator, assumes the role of Deputy Secretary General.
In an interview with Uganda Radio Network over the weekend, Akol maintains that he remains the rightful Chairperson of APG until a valid election for new leaders is conducted. However, his two and a half year term of office officially ended on January 23 of this year, as per his election in July 2021.
Akol alleges that the election took place in his absence while he was on a 14-day Parliamentary budget committee assignment abroad. He asserts that out of the 30 APG members, only five legislators convened and claimed to have conducted the election, contrary to the agreed-upon date of February 22.
The conflict stems from opposition towards Akol’s leadership stance on the eviction of Balaalo cattle keepers from the Acholi Sub-region, with those challenging him purportedly disagreeing with his approach.
Ricky Richard Anywar, the Agago West County legislator, whose term as the Vice Chairperson of APG recently ended, condemns the purported election as a ploy driven by external influences aimed at destabilizing the unity among Acholi legislators. Anywar insists that a genuine and transparent election will be arranged and conducted on February 22, inviting interested parties to participate following proper procedures.
Contrarily, John Amos Okot, the newly appointed APG Chairperson and former Secretary General, argues that the term of the former Chairperson and executives had expired, giving him the authority to call for an election. He refutes claims of illegitimacy and asserts that there will be no second election, emphasizing the continuation of efforts against the illegal settlement of migrant cattle keepers.
Betty Aol Ocan, the newly elected APG Vice Chairperson, criticizes Akol for what she perceives as a lack of transparent leadership and failure to resolve conflicts among Acholi legislators. While she did not partake in the disputed election, she embraces her new role and pledges to address gaps left by previous APG executives.
Established in 1989, the Acholi Parliamentary Group has historically served as a prominent forum for Acholi legislators to address regional challenges. However, internal conflicts and power struggles threaten its cohesion and effectiveness.
