KAMPALA, Uganda – The Lango Parliamentary Group is facing a deepening crisis following the dramatic exit of Otuke District Woman MP, Hon. Susan Abeja, who cited weak leadership and imbalanced decision-making as reasons for her departure from the regional caucus.
The legislator, recently appointed as a Parliamentary Commissioner in the ongoing leadership restructuring of the 12th Parliament, announced her resignation in an exclusive interview, arguing that her new national role demands impartiality beyond regional affiliations.
“I hope to leave the Lango Parliamentary Group because of weak leadership and an imbalance in decision-making among some members of the group,” she stated firmly.
“As Commissioner in Parliament, I do not serve only Lango but all regions of Uganda. My responsibilities now cut across the whole country, and I cannot confine myself to a single regional bloc,” she added.
However, in a sharp rebuttal, Lango Parliamentary Group Chairperson and Oyam South MP, Patrick Ogwang Obura, painted a different picture of the events leading to her departure.
Ogwang Obura revealed that Hon. Abeja had distanced herself from the group’s affairs long before her elevation to the Parliamentary Commission, accusing her of not participating in the election of the current caucus leadership.
“Abeja did not participate in the election of the Lango Parliamentary Group leaders,” Ogwang Obura told this publication. “The 11th Parliament was full of conflict and disunity, making her lose interest in remaining in the Lango Parliamentary Group.”
The caucus chairperson maintained that the group had established mechanisms for resolving internal disputes and questioned the timing and rationale behind Abeja’s decision.
“As Chairperson of the Lango Parliamentary Group, we believe that if any MP has problems within the parliamentary group, they should use amicable means of resolving them rather than quitting the group,” Ogwang Obura stated.
He further criticized the departing Commissioner for abandoning her mentorship responsibilities, noting that senior MPs like Abeja have a duty to guide newer members.
“Abeja and other senior MPs should guide the new MPs in Parliament. But if she leaves the group, that means she lacks unity and love for Lango,” he asserted.
Ogwang Obura revealed that the caucus is yet to receive formal communication regarding Abeja’s resignation and is awaiting an official letter to make the departure official.
“We are waiting for her to make it formal to the Lango Parliamentary Group,” he concluded.
The Commissioner’s departure comes at a time when the Lango Parliamentary Group has been grappling with internal tensions, particularly following recent NRM reshuffles that saw several Lango MPs sidelined from key parliamentary committee positions.
Political analysts note that the loss of a Commissioner from the regional bloc could significantly affect Lango’s bargaining power in parliamentary affairs, given the Commission’s influence over parliamentary administration and resource allocation.
Sources within the group suggest that disagreements over resource allocation and representation had been brewing for some time, with the Otuke legislator previously expressing dissatisfaction with how decisions were being made.
Despite the backlash, the Otuke MP remained resolute, stating that her decision was final and in the best interest of her national duties.
“I have been elevated to serve all Ugandans, and I take that responsibility seriously. The Parliamentary Commission deals with matters affecting the entire House, not just one region,” she said.
“The decisions I now make must benefit all Ugandans, not just one region,” she concluded.
The Lango Parliamentary Group has historically relied on its senior members to negotiate for development projects and representation within the broader parliamentary framework. Abeja’s departure leaves the caucus with a significant void, both in terms of seniority and influence.
The group’s leadership has been grappling with internal cohesion challenges, and the loss of a Commissioner from the region is expected to weaken its negotiating power in parliamentary affairs.
Efforts to reach other members of the Lango Parliamentary Group for further comment were unsuccessful by press time.
