Acholi MPs ask Gov’t for Immediate Food Relief, Action on road Accidents and Drug use by some Drivers.
By Okidi Patrick
KAMPALA, UGANDA: Acholi Members of Parliament have asked government to urgently deliver food relief to drought-hit communities in Northern Uganda, crack down on drug use by commercial drivers, and address rising road accidents on the Gulu-Kampala highway.
Among the key discussion was that made by Lamwo county MP Hon. Nyeko Johnson, Kilak South MP Hon. Gilbert Olanya and Agago West MP Hon Anywar Ricky Richard among iyhee MPs were as listed below:
“Drought pushing people into hunger and debt”
Hon. Nyeko Johnson said0said Northern Uganda has not received meaningful rains since May, leading to widespread crop failure.
“Since May, coming through June and continuing in July, we have not been having rain in Northern Uganda. This has led to crops and low productivity,” he said.
He warned that many farmers who borrowed loans to plant can no longer repay due to poor harvests.
“Our people will be going hungry not because they are lazy but because of the drought. We request that the government should come in,” Hon. Nyeko appealed.
He cited government’s past support to people affected by the South Sudan war and asked for similar intervention for farmers hit by drought.
Charcoal trade, tree cutting blamed for dry spell:
Hon. Gilbert Olanya blamed the dry conditions on massive deforestation and charcoal trade, despite a presidential executive order banning it.
“You recall sometimes back His Excellency the President issued an executive order to stop massive tree cutting. But some people did not stop,” Hon. Olanya said.
“The security personnel, the police were suspected to be conniving with the charcoal dealers yet they continue to cut down trees in Northern Uganda.”
“Now we are experiencing the impact. The place is dry yet at this time in our place, this would be the best time for receiving enough rainfall and people would be having plenty of crops,” he added.
The MPs asked government to enforce the directive, support tree planting, and supply food to affected communities as they wait for the next season.
Road accidents, drug use by drivers:
The MPs also raised concern over fatal accidents on highways, which they said have left many families in Acholi with widows and orphans.
Hon. Nyeko raised alarm over substance abuse by drivers.
“There are green substances being chewed by these drivers. The government should get deep into this. These substances, they make the drivers drunk,” he said.
The legislators said the Gulu-Kampala road has become a death trap due to its narrowness, speeding, and unstable double trailers.
“Most of these accidents occur when you drive fast, the road gets narrower. It becomes very prone to accidents,” one MP said.
They recommended increased police patrols, ambulance stations and towing vehicles along the highway, and a ban on double trailers.
“We cannot take semi-trailers but not these double trailers. They are very unstable,” the MP added.
The MPs also called on government to support victims of recent fatal accidents, saying some survivors are still hospitalized and families are struggling with burial and hospital expenses.
“We therefore call upon the government of Uganda to come and help the people who were involved in this fatal accident,” Hon. Nyeko said.
MP Anywar Ricky Richard of Agago West county tabled a number of issues including the people still in the hospital due to the recent accident where others haven’t yet paid the hospital bill.
He congratulated the Government of the Republic of Uganda for the infrastructural development in Northern Uganda.
On record according to MP Ricky, is the issue of dry spell that has sent people into panic mode because of looming hunger in Agago west constituency and other part of Acholi Sub-region.
What Acholi MPs want:
- Immediate food relief for drought-affected communities in Northern Uganda
- Enforcement of the ban on charcoal trade and massive tree cutting, plus support for reforestation
- Crackdown on drug use by commercial drivers and stricter road safety enforcement
- Ban on double trailers and improvements to the Gulu-Kampala highway
- Government assistance to accident victims and bereaved familie.
- Other MPs who attended were; Hon Ojara Marthin Mapenduzi of Barfege Layibi Division , MP Ojok Andrew Olanya of Omoro county, Chairperson Acholi parliamentary Group Hon Catherine Lamwaka among others.
About the Author
