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Parliamentarians pack their luggage on bus as they prepare to set off to Gulu
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A group of Opposition MPs has defied the Leader of Opposition, Joel Ssenyonyi, by attending the controversial regional parliamentary sittings in Gulu. Despite Ssenyonyi's caution against attending due to the financial burden on taxpayers, MPs Abed Bwanika (Kimaanya-Kabonero) and Naboth Namanya (Rubabo County) chose to participate, arguing that the budget for the sittings had already been approved by Parliament.
Bwanika emphasized that the National Unity Platform (NUP) should use the opportunity to engage with the Northern region, which had not supported the party in the 2021 elections. He criticized the opposition to the sittings as "school politics" and urged his colleagues to focus on national issues rather than internal party disagreements. "We are going to Gulu to deliberate on issues of Northern Uganda. The Parliament of Uganda is a national institution, and we must engage with all regions," Bwanika stated.
Mapenduzi Ojara (Bardege-Layibi Division) supported the decision, highlighting that the regional sittings would allow Parliament to address specific issues affecting Northern Uganda and bring Parliament closer to the people.
Paul Asaba getting ready for the journey
Meanwhile, Paul Asaba (Kyaka North) dismissed claims by Ssenyonyi that the sittings would cost Shs20 billion, asserting that the amount was exaggerated. He argued that MPs are paid to represent their constituents and should fulfill their duties regardless of location.
Namanya, despite opposing the expenditure on regional sittings, acknowledged that the Opposition had been outvoted on the budgetary allocations and decided to attend the Gulu sittings to ensure his constituency's interests were represented.
The regional sittings have sparked debate within the Opposition, with some members prioritizing engagement with all regions over concerns about the financial implications.
Sitting program
Parliament has already released a tentative program for the inaugural Regional Parliamentary Sitting in Gulu & some of the activities to be undertaken include; tree planting, visiting resting place of former Speaker Jacob Oulanyah, meeting boda boda riders & women groups in Gulu among others.
Tentative program
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